NATO Defence Ministers concerned by Russia’s military build-up in the Black Sea region

NATO Defence Ministers have expressed concern over Russia’s military build-up in the Black Sea region at a meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission today in Brussels.

NATO defence ministers agreed to continue working together to address regional security challenges.

Calling the meeting ‘productive’, Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg said Georgia will join the alliance as had been reaffirmed by the allied leaders at the summit in July.

At the #NATOSummit, leaders reaffirmed that #Georgia ???????? will join the Alliance. #NATO’s door remains open. Today, Allies restated their full support for Georgia’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity – SG @jensstoltenberg pic.twitter.com/j5XHwjrwNI

— Oana Lungescu (@NATOpress) October 3, 2018

“Today, the allies also restated their full support for Georgia’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. We call on Russia to end its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and to withdraw its forces from these regions of Georgia. We are also concerned by Russia’s military build-up in the Black Sea region. Black Sea security is a priority for NATO and for Georgia,” he said.

Jens Stoltenberg has emphasised that NATO and Georgia are working together more closely ‘than ever before’. In his words, this work involves training the Georgian Coast Guard boarding teams, more cooperation between Georgian and NATO naval forces and between Georgia’s Joint Maritime Operations Centre and the NATO’s Maritime Command.

“The allies also welcomed the continued progress Georgia is making on reforms. We encourage Georgia to continue along the path of reform,” Stoltenberg added.

"A very important meeting w/ #NATO SecGen @jensstoltenberg during #DefMin.
We discussed:
✅ Progress achieved on our path to NATO
✅Upcoming NATO-GEO Exercise 2019
✅SNGP success story & future plans" - MoD #Izoria pic.twitter.com/o5VefazldN

— MOD Georgia (@ModGovGe) October 3, 2018