NATO recognises Georgia’s reforms, anticipates “even closer” partnership
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Georgia’s progress of implementing reforms "is on the right track”, says NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
Stoltenberg spoke at a press conference after NATO Defence Ministers reviewed the Alliance’s increased cooperation with Georgia’s Defence Minister Tinatin Khidasheli at the NATO-Georgia Commission meeting in Brussels yesterday.
#Georgia's progress on reforms is "right on track" - #NATO SG http://t.co/SvsQNdLOV7#DefMinpic.twitter.com/Ok0N6yyDTx
— NATO (@NATO) October 8, 2015
The Defence Ministers welcomed the progress made regarding NATO-Georgia relations and discussed ways to further deepen cooperation between the country and the Alliance. Action already taken by both sides was also praised.
"Georgia is one of our closest partners and we are moving steadily closer together,” Stoltenberg said.
The NATO official said the Substantial Package of assistance agreed a year ago had now become a reality.
"We have built on our political consultation and our practical cooperation,” he said.
"At our Wales Summit, NATO promised Georgia a Substantial Package of support. And we are delivering.”
"In July we held the joint exercise Agile Spirit. In August I attended the inauguration of the new Joint Training and Evaluation Centre. Twenty allies have agreed to commit personnel to man the Centre and provide support to Georgia’s defence reforms.”
"Georgia too is keeping its promise [and] continuing its own reform process.”
The Secretary General reaffirmed NATO’s commitment to Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations but stressed the need for continued progress in key areas of reform, including the rule of law.
Meanwhile at the Commission meeting he said: "Georgia is a sovereign nation with internationally recognised borders. It has the right to determine its own future and its own security arrangements. Yet today, Russia still violates Georgia’s borders.”
He called on Russia to respect Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and to reverse its recognition of the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali [South Ossetia] regions as independent states.
He added improving Georgia’s security and supporting the country’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations were "vital work”.
Membership to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) remains as the major topic in Georgia’s political agenda,” stated Georgia’s Foreign Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili after meeting NATO’s top official at the Alliance’s headquarters in Belgium, Brussels yesterday.
The Substantial NATO-Georgia Package that was offered to the country last year is beginning to deliver tangible results, as NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg inaugurated the new Training Centre during his first visit to Tbilisi today.
Every time the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) refuses to enlarge and open its door to Georgia, Russia takes it as a sign to reveal its aggression towards Georgia, says the country’s Minister of Defence.
A special YouTube report by Jeff Holden from NATOchannel.tv outlined the mission and detailed the importance of Georgia’s contribution to NATO missions, despite it not being a member nation.
The annual NATO Week has begun in Georgia aiming to raise awareness of the role of NATO and highlight Georgia’s recent success in moving closer to the North Atlantic organisation.
Georgia wants to become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and at this year’s NATO Summit in Warsaw, the country wants to hear a "clear message” that it is getting closer to the alliance.