NATO special rep Appathurai outlines steps for increased support for Georgia

NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai has outlined the alliance's upcoming steps for its increased support for Georgia as a response to security challenges in the Black Sea region.

Speaking to a Georgian Public Broadcaster radio channel, Appathurai spoke about prospects of an increased participation of Georgia in NATO "hybrid defence" doctrine - involving cybersecurity, energy industry and clandestine intelligence, among other measures.

An involvement of both Georgia and Ukraine with the transatlantic organisation on these subjects was part of NATO's approach as a "complete package", the alliance representative said.

The intentions behind the intensification of cooperation were aimed at increasing Black Sea security which faced threats in wake of "aggressive" actions by Russia, Appathurai said.

An increase in Georgia's security awareness over its own airspace and intensified participation in joint NATO drills for both Georgia and Ukraine was also talked about in the interview, which is set to air on Radio Georgia on Sunday.