Georgian defence minister explains relations with NATO in four words
Former PM Irakli Garibashvili became the minister of defence in September 2019. Photo: Defence Ministry press office.
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Georgian Defence Minister Irakli Garibashvili says that NATO-Georgia relations can be explained in just four words: ‘be patient, but ready’.
He said that “unlike the previous state leadership”, the Georgian Dream government “has never created false expectations” regarding Georgian membership in NATO.
...as this would have caused disappointment and dissatisfaction,” Garibashvili said.
He stated that Georgia has shown “huge progress” on its NATO path.
We should be patient and at the same time ready when it comes to NATO,” Garibashvili said.
He said that the November 6-7 Georgia Defence and Security Conference has been “very successful, with about 300 participants.”
We have received interesting answers to important questions during the conference,” Garibashvili said.
He stated that the conference allowed Georgia to express gratitude to its friends and allies.
NATO former Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller says that NATO is devoted to the decision made in 2008 in Bucharest and Georgia will definitely become a member of the alliance. She made the statement in a live address from Bucharest for Georgia Defence and Security Conference being held in Batumi.
NATO Liaison Office Head to Georgia Rosaria Puglisi says that the alliance is not discussing Georgia’s membership with Article No. 5 on collective defence not covering the country’s two Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali.
US Congressman Adam Kinzinger, who came to Georgia late yesterday to attend the Georgia Defence and Security Conference (GDSC), says that the US Democrats and Republicans have disagreements on various issues but when it concerns Georgia, “we are unanimous.” He spoke about the security challenges coming from Russia during the conference, stating that the US is trying to help the European states “defeat the Russian energy blackmail.”
Georgian top officials, decision-makers, experts and foreign guests have gathered in Georgia’s coastal city of Batumi to attend the 13th Georgia Defence and Security Conference (GDSC) to discuss current defence and security issues and challenges.The following sessions are scheduled to take place during the two-day conference.
The United States Congressmen Adam Kinzinger and Alex Mooney, who are visiting Georgia on November 5-9, met with the Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze today. Kinzinger and Mooney reiterated the US support for Georgia, its territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as the country’s European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
A new framework deal between Georgia and the United States takes defence and security cooperation between the two states to an "essentially new level", the Ministry of Defence of Georgia announced after the signing of the agreement at the Pentagon on Thursday.