NATO top official on Georgia’s NATO future, Russian aggression

Russia is continuing to use military aggression and oppress sovereign countries, says a top NATO official who is on official duties in Tbilisi.

NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander of U.S. European Command, General Philip Breedlove discussed the implementation of the Substantive Package, Georgia’s participation in the Afghan 2015 mission and regional threats with Georgian leadership.

"NATO will help Georgia in joining NATO. We have discussed the details of implementing the Substantive Package we received at the Wales Summit, talked about how important it is to timely implement the joint Training and Assessment Centre and talked about how to plan regular military exercises with NATO in Georgia,” said Georgian Defence Minister Irakli Alasania after meeting the NATO top official.

Regional threat

"As Georgians know better than most, these are very difficult times in Europe as Russia invaded the sovereign country’s territory illegally, annexed part of it and used military force for political goals,” General Breedlove said at a briefing held after his meeting with Georgia’s Defence Minister in Tbilisi.

"NATO realizes this threat and takes concrete measures to response quickly.”

General Breedlove noted that NATO members Foreign Ministers will meet in Brussels in several weeks to discuss the situation, and NATO Defence Ministers will later debate the role of the new NATO Response Force.

NATO – Georgia Substantive Package

The NATO official also spoke about the support Georgia received at the September NATO Wales Summit.

"We will do our best in order to help Georgia’s armed forces to improve defensive capabilities through active participation in NATO military exercises,” General Breedlove noted.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s Defence Minister revealed some details about the NATO-Georgia joint Training Centre.

"I would like to emphasize that all the agreements reached between Georgia and NATO about opening the NATO Training Centre in Georgia, holding joint trainings and exercises as well as Georgia’s NATO membership plans are undoubtedly aimed at strengthening security in the region,” Alasania said.

Representatives of the Georgian Defence Ministry returned from the Brussels discussion yesterday, where the implementation plan on the Substantive Package has been already agreed.

"This plan will be presented at the meeting of [NATO] Foreign Ministers which is due to be held at the beginning of December. By February, at the Defence Ministers’ meeting, the plan will be finally approved. An advanced team will arrive in Georgia to [undertake] a close study of military infrastructure under the implementation plan of the package,” stated Minister Alasania.

Georgia’s role in the Afghan 2015 mission

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission was also discussed at the meeting, in which General Breedlove thanked Georgia for its contribution to the mission.

Alasania underlined that Georgia will take part in the Afghanistan Mission 2015 as one of the largest contributors.

Afterwards, General Breedlove met with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili with other top Georgian officials, including Interior and Justice Ministers and discussed ways to implement the Substantive Package.

Garibashvili emphasized the importance of the package and noted Georgia appreciated the firm support of the US of Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

The meeting was also attended by head of the NATO Liaison Office William Lahue and NATO Military Liaison Officer Colonel Maximilian Eder.

General Breedlove also visited Tbilisi State University and delivered a speech to the students.