NATO’s Appathurai speaks about ‘more NATO in Georgia’ next year
NATO Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai is scheduled to meet with the Georgian president-elect Salome Zurabishvili. Photo: Foreign Ministry press office.
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Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy and NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai has stated in Tbilisi that the Georgian people will see “more NATO in Georgia” next year.
Appathurai, who arrived in Georgia today, has held his first meeting with Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani.
He stated after the meeting that the aim of his arrival is the preservation of the positive political dynamic between Georgia and the EU and to summarise the recent NATO ministerial, where the Georgian foreign minister made “clear messages and calls” regarding Georgia’s NATO membership.
We discussed NATO-Georgia bilateral relations at the meeting. I believe that the Georgian people will see more NATO in Georgia next year. Herewith, of course, we should work for concrete outcomes. For instance, the implementation of effective reforms and strengthening of democratic processes,” Appathurai said.
Georgian Foreign Minister stated that NATO-Georgia will continue close cooperation and conduction of joint military drills.
Appathurai is scheduled to meet with Georgia Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, President Giorgi Margvelashvili, President-elect Salome Zurabishvili, former opposition presidential candidate Grigol Vashadze and Defence Minister Levan Izoria.