Joint NATO drills begin in Georgia

TBILISI, Mar 18 (AFP): Georgian and NATO forces on Monday launched joint military exercises as part of the ex-Soviet country's bid to win membership in the 29-nation alliance that has infuriated its old master Russia.

Held at the Krtsanisi Georgia-NATO Joint Training and Evaluation Centre outside the capital Tbilisi, the 12-day drills "are a significant milestone in strengthening NATO-Georgia military-political cooperation," Georgia's defence ministry said.

The games involve 350 servicemen from the US, Britain, France, Germany and 17 other allied nations as well as Azerbaijan, Finland, and Sweden, the defence ministry said in a statement.

"The exercises are aimed at strengthening Georgia's defence capabilities and are not directed against any third country," deputy defence minister Lela Chikovani told journalists.

The prospect of Georgia joining NATO is seen by the Kremlin as a Western incursion into its traditional sphere of influence.