NATO Sec-Gen: Georgia won’t have to choose between its territorial integrity and NATO
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says that NATO standards, and not the occupied territories, hinder Georgia’s membership in NATO. Photo: Nato.int.
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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg claims that Georgia will not have to make a choice between its occupied territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) and NATO membership.
Stoltenberg made the statement in Brussels today, ahead of the NATO Defence Ministerial which will be held on 3-4 October, in response to a question of the media on whether the Georgian occupied territories are an obstacle in the path of the country’s road to NATO membership.
Stoltenberg stated that Georgia will become a NATO member when it meets the alliance standards.
He vowed that NATO will help Georgia to come fully in line with mandatory standards.
Stoltenberg also said that on Wednesday the first NATO-Georgia Commission meeting will be held.
Ministers will take stock of the developments in NATO-Georgia cooperation, including the implementation of the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package, and discuss Black Sea security – a priority for NATO and for Georgia,” he said.
The Georgian government says it is taking all steps to meet NATO standards with the help of allies and NATO member countries.
Russian top officials have warned about “fatal consequences” if Georgia becomes an alliance member.
The Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili stated today that Georgia-NATO cooperation has never been as active as it is now.
The US Heritage Foundation has hosted the event -10 Years after the Bucharest Summit: Strengthening the U.S.-NATO-Georgia Relationship.
Georgia and Ukraine "sooner or later" can become member states of NATO, but at present they should focus on reforms, says NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
NATO has denounced Russia’s attempts to intimidate its neighbouring countries who aspire to have closer ties with the Alliance, including Georgia.
Georgian Defence Minister Levan Izoria says that the country will continue to buy military armaments from the United States. Izoria stated today in the wake of the NATO Defence Ministerial last week that the US has “faith in Georgia” and the faith was built due to successful Georgian reforms in the defence field.
Georgia’s Chief of the General Staff of Armed Forces was among the most senior NATO military commanders for the alliance’s 180th Military Committee meeting in Brussels this week.