Time in Tbilisi: December 19, 2024 07:19

  • NEWS

NATO Deputy Secretary General: Tbilisi Session proves our door is open

NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller speaks at the NATO PA session in Tbilisi on May 29. Photo source: natopapress/Twitter
Agenda.ge, 29 May 2017 - 12:30, Tbilisi,Georgia

NATO's door is open to those who share the alliance's values, meet its standards and want to contribute to joint efforts.

In holding a NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) session in Tbilisi, Georgia has shown proof of this commitment, says NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller when she spoke at the NATO PA session in Tbilisi this morning.

The session was referred as "historic” as it is the first time a NATO partner, and not a member, has hosted a PA session since 2002.

Gottemoeller said that the NATO-Georgia Substantial Package is what strengthens Georgia’s defence capabilities, thus paving the path for the country towards membership.

"Georgia is one of our closest and most valued partner who greatly contributes to our missions in Afghanistan and helps us have more information on the security situation in that region”, she added.

Gottemoeller stressed Georgia has major army reforms ahead if it wants to join NATO but she added that everyone within the alliance is ready to help the country with these reforms.

Today is the fourth and final day of the NATO PA Tbilisi session. By the end of this day the PA will adopt a historic declaration in support of Georgia and its territorial integrity. Before this happens, Georgian leaders including Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and President Giorgi Margvelashvili spoke at the event.

Margvelashvili said that Georgia is a "responsible” partner who took this responsibility 26 years ago when it regained its independence and this then the county has been firmly standing by its partners for global security.

"I am patiently looking forward towards the day when NATO decides to become stronger by letting Georgia entering the alliance”, he said.

Kvirikashvili gave a rundown of Georgia’s recent reforms and progress and said that although much is done, the country’s ambition is to achieve the standards when there is only a political decision left until Georgia’s integration into the western institutions.

Statements have been made throughout the morning in support of Georgia.

NATO PA President Paolo Alli said that "NATO door is open and we will not allow pressure from a nation to close that door”

"Georgia belongs in Euro-Atlantic community. [I am] struck by how deeply this common purpose runs among Georgian people”, he added.