NATO Parliamentary delegation reaffirms support for Georgia

Georgia is NATO’s "most important partner” and moves will be made to strengthen Georgia’s security and bring the country closer to the North Atlantic Alliance, says a top NATO official.

President of NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly Hugh Bayley is in Georgia today and has met with the Speaker of Georgia’s Parliament David Usupashvili, where Bayley pledged Georgia’s relations with NATO would intensify.

"Deepening [Georgia’s level of] cooperation with NATO should not only be expressed in words and statements but practical steps are also needed which will strengthen Georgia’s security and bring [the country] closer to NATO,” Bayley said at a joint press conference after his meeting with Usupashvili this morning. At that meeting the pair discussed the upcoming NATO Summit in Wales.

The NATO envoy, who is leading a NATO Parliamentary delegation on an official visit to Georgia, told journalists Georgia was NATO’s "most important partner”. He said one of the main issues on the agenda to be discussed at the September NATO Summit will be the possible dangers in the region and ways to combat them.

"Georgia significantly contributes to strengthening the [region’s] security. I sincerely welcome the signing of the Association Agreement (AA) with the European Union (EU). This is an important step on the path of Euro-Atlantic aspirations,” Bayley said.

"It is inevitable that questions are raised about the future NATO Summit in Wales. Russian aggression in the region will be one of the main issues to be discussed and [questions will be asked] how will NATO react to possible threats coming from Russia and how should NATO cooperate with countries to avoid possible danger,” he said.

The NATO envoy also stated the Georgian Parliamentary delegation played "a significant role in the NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly”.

At the joint press conference Usupashvili said decisions should be made at the NATO Summit to strengthen Georgia’s security and NATO’s position in Georgia, as a peace and stability defending organisation.

He also underlined Georgia was ready to contribute to ensuring peace and stability in the region and all over the world.

"We have agreed that the decision made at the NATO Wales Summit should be a clear message for everyone that the process [of Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration] continues and it continues successfully,” Usupashvili said.

After this, Bayley met Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and discussed the process of Georgia’s integration with NATO, as well as the current situation in the region.

Prime Minister Garibashvili once again confirmed NATO integration was one of the top priorities of Georgia’s foreign policy.

Earlier this morning before the NATO delegation commenced their official meetings with Georgian Government officials, the group visited the NATO Liaison Office (NLO) and met with the office's head William Lahue and representatives of non-governmental organisations.

The main topic of the meeting surrounded Georgia’s pre-election environment and the recent local elections, the current media environment in Georgia and more.

The NATO Parliamentary delegation arrived in Georgia yesterday. The group, led by Bayley, consisted of vice presidents Daniel Bacquelaine and Karl Lamers, former vice president Julio Miranda Calha and Secretary General David Hobbs.

Within their official visit, which will end later today, the guests will also meet Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze, President Giorgi Margvelashvili and Defence Minister Irakli Alasania.