Stoltenberg vows NATO’s strong political support for Georgia’s independence

Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili met NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Alliance headquarters in Brussels, Belgium in the afternoon.

During a joint press conference following the meeting Stoltenberg stressed NATO strongly supported Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and valued Georgia’s commitment to the Alliance and international security.

We will provide strong political support for your independence, for your territorial integrity and sovereignty and we will continue to provide practical support for both the importance of implementing the reforms but also to continue to conduct exercises.

Great to hear from SG @jensstoltenberg that #Georgia has all tools 4 membership & @NATO supports our aspiration & efforts 2 strengthen ties

— Giorgi Kvirikashvili (@KvirikashviliGi) December 2, 2016

We will do this to make sure that we fill and strengthen the Joint Training Centre and that the NATO-Georgia Commission continues to be an important platform and tool for political dialogue but also for practical cooperation,” Stoltenberg said.

Stoltenberg highly praised Georgian soldiers in NATO Resolute Support Mission as they reacted "very quickly and in a very professional manner” to defend German Consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif when attacked.

Georgian soldiers were very brave and professional in defending the consulate.

Georgian delegation held a meeting at NATO headquarters. Photo by Prime Minister's press office. 

This is just yet another example of how Georgia contributes to our shared security and how Georgia contributes to NATO and the important role and the professionalism of your soldiers when they conduct operations in NATO, in Resolute Support in Afghanistan,” Stoltenberg said.

Stoltenberg also stated NATO would continue to work with Georgia on the challenges the Alliance saw in the broader Black Sea region.

Georgia is one of the countries which are important for NATO to work closely with because the Black Sea region is of strategic importance for the whole NATO Alliance and the partnership with Georgia is an important part of that,” he said.

The NATO top figure repeated Georgia had all the practical tools for the Alliance membership, and the Alliance continued to support Georgia in its aspirations and efforts.

For his part Kvirikashvili reassured the NATO leadership in the commitments assumed by the country and noted that as an aspiring country to NATO, Georgia will continue making considerable contribution to the common North-Atlantic security efforts.