Large-scale joint military exercises of NATO and partners of the Alliance Noble Partner 2017, which are characterized by an unprecedented increase in the military potential involved, started in Georgia for the third time on July 30, 2017.
About 3 000 military servicemen from Georgia, the USA, the Great Britain, Germany, Turkey, Slovenia, Ukraine and Armenia are participating in the drills, foreign heavy military equipment and aircraft have been brought to the territory of Georgia. The Vice President of the USA participated in the opening ceremony of the drills.
Unfortunately we have to mark that this event is organized just before the 9th anniversary of Georgian military aggression against South Ossetia launched in August 2008. We express our most serious concern about the on-going militarization of Georgia and the demonstrative political support given to the aggressor state by the USA and some other countries.
We consider the events as provocative preparations, aimed at undermining the political and military balance, which has established in Transcaucasia and is ensuring regional stability and security of South Ossetia against the on-going territorial claims by Georgia, which hasn't given up the plans to annex the territory of South Ossetia.
Tskhinval, August 01, 2017