NATO recognises Georgia’s reforms, anticipates “even closer” partnership

Georgia’s progress of implementing reforms "is on the right track”, says NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Stoltenberg spoke at a press conference after NATO Defence Ministers reviewed the Alliance’s increased cooperation with Georgia’s Defence Minister Tinatin Khidasheli at the NATO-Georgia Commission meeting in Brussels yesterday.

#Georgia's progress on reforms is "right on track" - #NATO SG http://t.co/SvsQNdLOV7#DefMinpic.twitter.com/Ok0N6yyDTx

— NATO (@NATO) October 8, 2015

The Defence Ministers welcomed the progress made regarding NATO-Georgia relations and discussed ways to further deepen cooperation between the country and the Alliance. Action already taken by both sides was also praised.

"Georgia is one of our closest partners and we are moving steadily closer together,” Stoltenberg said.

The NATO official said the Substantial Package of assistance agreed a year ago had now become a reality.

"We have built on our political consultation and our practical cooperation,” he said.

"At our Wales Summit, NATO promised Georgia a Substantial Package of support. And we are delivering.”

"In July we held the joint exercise Agile Spirit. In August I attended the inauguration of the new Joint Training and Evaluation Centre. Twenty allies have agreed to commit personnel to man the Centre and provide support to Georgia’s defence reforms.”

"Georgia too is keeping its promise [and] continuing its own reform process.”

The Secretary General reaffirmed NATO’s commitment to Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations but stressed the need for continued progress in key areas of reform, including the rule of law.

Meanwhile at the Commission meeting he said: "Georgia is a sovereign nation with internationally recognised borders. It has the right to determine its own future and its own security arrangements. Yet today, Russia still violates Georgia’s borders.”

He called on Russia to respect Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and to reverse its recognition of the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali [South Ossetia] regions as independent states.

He added improving Georgia’s security and supporting the country’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations were "vital work”.