Azernews.Az

By Jamila Babayeva

The last contingent of Georgian servicemen that participated in NATO ISAF mission returned to Georgia from Afghanistan, bringing the rotation of the 31st Batumi battalion to completion.

The servicemen were met by Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania, U.S. ambassador to Georgia Richard Norland, and other officials in Alekseevka airfield (near Tbilisi).

The servicemen can now rest with their families, because they have fulfilled their mission with dignity and returned homeland without a loss, Alasania said.

The U.S. ambassador pointed out that the U.S. servicemen have confirmed the high professionalism of Georgian servicemen in Afghanistan.

By participating in an international mission, Georgia has confirmed that it is a good and reliable partner for the NATO, ultimately paving the way for Georgia's accession to the NATO, the U.S. ambassador said.

Georgia has been assisting the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan since 2004. Some 1,600 Georgian servicemen serve in Afghanistan.

Georgia indicated its willingness to continue supporting the development of the Afghan security forces after the completion of ISAF's mission at the end of 2014, when the responsibility of providing security will be fully transferred to the Afghan authorities and security forces.