Defense officials from the United States and Georgia are holding talks in Batumi, Adjara Autonomous Republic, on September 12 to outline cooperation between the two countries, the Georgian Defense Ministry reported.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence James MacDougall is leading the 11-member U.S. delegation.

“We are discussing ways to continue our bilateral cooperation in 2007 and new programs that will be implemented in the Georgian Armed Forces… After the consultations we will have a new cooperation plan,” Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili told reporters on September 12 in Batumi.