Armenia

Papikyan Conducts High-Level Defense Talks And Signs Agreements In France

On March 26, Suren Papikyan, the Defense Minister of Armenia, met with Army General Vincent Giraud, the French President’s Military Advisor and Chief of the Special Military Staff, during the Armenian minister’s official visit to France. Arman Khachatryan, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to France, also attended the meeting. The discussion focused on Armenia-France cooperation in the defense sector and broader issues of international security.

Later, Papikyan met with representatives of French defense companies at the "Movement of International French Enterprises" organization to discuss collaboration between the Armenian Ministry of Defense and French military industry enterprises.

On March 27, Papikyan held a meeting in Paris with Alexander Ziegler, head of defense at the French company Safran Electronics & Defense, which concluded with the signing of an agreement. On the same day, a solemn welcoming ceremony took place at the French Ministry of Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, featuring a military band and honor guard, during which the national anthems of both countries were played.

Suren Papikyan also met with Catherine Vautrin, the French Minister of Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, with Ambassador Arman Khachatryan in attendance. The ministers recognized the high level of existing cooperation, emphasizing the importance of its continuity and development. They reviewed progress in military-technical cooperation, military education, professional training, advisory support, and other areas. Both sides agreed to deepen and expand bilateral cooperation, elevating it to a qualitatively higher level and continuing joint initiatives to strengthen defense capabilities.

During the visit, Papikyan met with Sébastien Le Corneille, the Prime Minister of France, conveying warm greetings from Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. He briefed the French Prime Minister on the progress of prior agreements and thanked the French government for its continued focus on bilateral cooperation. The discussion emphasized the strategic partnership and the importance of further expanding defense-sector collaboration.

On the same day, by decree of Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, Papikyan was awarded the Legion of Honor (Legion d’honneur) of the French Republic. The order was presented by Prime Minister Sébastien Le Corneille, who commended Papikyan’s significant contributions to the development of Armenia-France relations.

Georgia

Patiashvili Participates In Georgian-French Strategic Dialogue

On March 24, Paata Patiashvili, the First Deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia, participated in the Georgian-French strategic dialogue during a working visit to France.

Patiashvili and his delegation were hosted by Lieutenant General Eric Peltie. The meeting focused on the importance of Georgia-France partnership in the defense sector and explored prospects for deepening cooperation across various areas.

The dialogue also addressed the global security environment and current challenges. Patiashvili expressed hope that bilateral ties with France and other Western partners would continue to grow and expand further.

Georgia Launches Professional Training Course For General Inspection Staff

On March 25, the General Inspection Staff course at the Defense Institutional Reconstruction School commenced. The opening ceremony was led by Paata Patiashvili, the First Deputy Minister of Defense, and David Lomidze, Chief of General Inspection.

Colonel Mustafa Ashkin, Inspector General of the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Turkey, and Major Richard Garcia, Deputy Chief of the American Military Group in Georgia, attended the ceremony. Addressing the participants, they highlighted the critical role of General Inspection in ensuring the proper functioning of the Ministry of Defense.

The one-week course aims to provide professional training for General Inspection staff, enabling them to effectively carry out their legally mandated duties. Participants include representatives from various departments of the Ministry of Defense. To share international experience, a representative from the Turkish Ministry of National Defense’s General Inspection participates in the program, while remote sessions are conducted with the U.S. Army Inspector General’s School and the Office of the Inspector General of the Georgia State Guard.

Professor Zurab Mkheidze delivers lectures on verbal and non-verbal communication, negotiation strategies, and de-escalation skills. This is the second course organized jointly by the Ministry of Defense General Inspection and the Defense Institutional Reconstruction School. Fifteen employees of the General Inspection are undergoing the full training program and will receive certificates upon completion.

Turkey Hands Over Military Equipment To Georgia’s Special Operations Command

On March 26, military equipment produced by the Republic of Turkey was handed over to the Special Operations Command of the Ministry of Defense of Georgia. The reception ceremony took place at the Special Operations Base in Vashlijvari and was attended by Zaza Chkhaidze, Major-General of Georgia, and Ali Khan Orbai, the Ambassador of Turkey to Georgia.

The handover document was signed by Colonel Teimuraz Klateishvili, Special Operations Sardal, and Colonel Ilhan Oktendurali, the Turkish Military Attaché. Following the signing, the delegation attended a demonstration shooting at the base’s shooting range.

It is noteworthy that in 2025, Turkey also provided special operations equipment to the Ministry of Defense of Georgia, further strengthening military cooperation between the two countries.

Azerbaijan

No relevant information has been published by Azerbaijani side during the period.