NATO prepares for closer relationship with Georgia

NATO will soon have a bigger presence in Georgia as it helps support the country move towards Alliance membership.

This was announced by NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai after he met with Georgia’s Defence Minister in Tbilisi today.

When speaking about the meeting, Appathurai drew attention to the professionalism of the Defence Ministry and expressed his delight that it was moving "in the right direction”.

"You will soon see that Georgia will be represented in NATO even more and you will also see more NATO in Georgia,” he confirmed.

"[And] let me talk about the professionalism of the Defence Ministry. I am happy that we continue cooperation on the highest level with the new team,” he said.

The NATO envoy said the Alliance planned to hold consultations with Georgia in the security field, in which civil society will also be involved. He noted Georgia was a country whose citizens were experts of NATO and the NATO-Georgia relationship.

He also confirmed NATO would actively participate in Georgia’s implementation of the substantial package offered to Georgia at the NATO Wales Summit in September.

"At the NATO Summit Georgia received a new package, which will help your country to join the Alliance. The Defence Ministry is making every effort to execute all directions outlined in the package. NATO’s side is also actively participating in this process,” he said.

Appathurai said within the package’s implementation process, visits to Georgia by NATO high officials were planned.

On another note, the NATO envoy thanked Georgia for participating in international peacekeeping missions and stressed how important this contribution was for global security.

"Georgia is a small country however it greatly contributes to the global security. Georgian militaries are serving in difficult regions and we understand this well,” he said.

Georgia’s Defence Minister Mindia Janelidze also commented after the meeting and expressed his pleasure for the "very fruitful” meeting.

"First, we have reviewed the issues of current cooperation. A key topic of the discussion was the NATO Substantial Package granted to Georgia at the Wales Summit and its implementation process. NATO headquarters and Mr. Appathurai, as the NATO Secretary General`s Special Representative, will be actively engaged in the elaboration of implementation plan,” he said.

"I hope that [our implementation plan] will be finally agreed and approved at the NATO-Georgia Commission session due to be held during the Defence Ministerial in February next year. We in turn, will do our utmost to realize the substantial NATO-Georgia package that is directed to strengthen the defensive capabilities and security of our country,” Janelidze noted

Meanwhile after the Janelidze- Appathurai meeting, the NATO official met Georgia’s State Minister on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration David Bakradze and discussed Georgia’s integration prospects.

He also commented on the so-called ‘Alliance and Strategic Partnership’ treaty formed between Russia and Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia and assessed it as "unacceptable.” He said this was another step by Russia in order to take control over the region.

"This is unacceptable. The NATO Secretary General has also noted this. Be assured that NATO continues to remain committed to the sovereignty of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders,” he said.

"I personally assure you that this process will not be a barrier in Georgia’s integration with NATO. These complications already existed when NATO partners confirmed that Georgia would become a part of it,” he said.

Within his visit, the NATO representative will also meet Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, chairman of the Georgian Parliament David Usupashvili as well as Parliamentary majority and minority members.