NATO rejects Russia’s claims, stresses NATO-Georgia exercises carry no regional threats
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The highest official from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisatin (NATO) has today spoken out about the purpose of multi-national military training in response to a comment by Russia that Georgia-NATO training exercises threaten regional security.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg today told Georgia’s Public Broadcaster (GPB) that what NATO does is "defensive” and consequently, NATO-Georgia joint military exercises pose no threat to anyone.
Stoltenberg's remarks contrast an official statement by Russia’s Foreign Ministry, which stated the NATO-Georgia military exercise, which began in Georgia on November 10, "created a serious threat to regional stability and peace”.
What NATO does is defensive, proportional and in full line with the Alliance’s international commitments. We will continue cooperation with our close partner - Georgia,” Stoltenberg said.
The NATO leader stressed it was important to "keep patience, act reasonably and find ways to avoid any escalation of situation” when speaking about Russia's continuing provocative actions against its neighbours. He highlighted the importance of continuing talks with Russia and announced a NATO-Russia Council meeting would take place in the near future.
Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also made a comment after Russia’s recent statement. The agency stressed the NATO-Georgia joint military exercises aimed to promote "regional stability, peace and development”.
The Ministry added these type of exercises increased Georgia’s defensive capabilities and compatibility with NATO, and that allowed Georgia to play a more important role in protecting international peace and security.
Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims the joint military exercises conducted by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and Georgia create a "serious threat” to regional stability and peace.
For the next 10 days a Georgian military training centre located just outside capital Tbilisi is hosting the NATO-Georgia Exercise 2016 in a "landmark" occasion that will strengthen Georgia-NATO relations.
Military personnel from six countries are joining forces in this year's Agile Spirit defence exercise in Georgia, which launched earlier today at the Orpolo firing range in the country's south.
Military officials from all over the world are in Georgia to participate in a multinational military exercise run by the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO).
Today President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelahsvili and Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili attended North-Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)-Georgia joint, multi-national military exercise near capital Tbilisi.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said to become a full-fledged member of NATO, the country should meet certain standards, while Georgia and Ukraine are now exactly focused on reforms, on modernizing defense institutions, fighting corruption and strengthening democratic institutions.