Georgian PM calls for joint efforts against security threats at Brussels Forum
Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili delivered a speech at Brussels Forum earlier today. Photo: government of Georgia press office.
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has stated that not only Georgia but regional countries have been subjected to emerging security threats and urged for joint efforts against the challenge.
We are looking into ways to protect ourselves,” Garibashvili said as a keynote speaker at the Brussels forum today which is being held under the June 14-18 NATO summit and comprises several thematic panels, including the Investing in Resilience panel where Garibashvili was invited to deliver his speech.
Participated in #BrusselsForum @gmfus. ????????has continuously proved resilience against external threats by strengthening democratic institutions&promoting sustainable econ devt. As we prepare for joining #NATO family we are ready to further deepen co-op w/the alliance&its partners.
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) June 14, 2021
Garibashvili stated that since the day Georgia regained its independence it has been subjected to economic, energy and trade blockades, cyber-attacks, information warfare and other types of non-conventional, as well as conventional warfare.
With 20 per cent of Georgia still occupied by Russia and used as launch-pad for its destructive policies, these hostile actions continue to this day,” Garibashvili stated.
He said that ‘it is crucial for like-minded states to join forces’ and share tools and experience to build resilience, ‘which has become a crucial concept not only in military, but much broader terms - the resilience of societies, founded on the shared principles of human rights, rule of law, good governance and market economy.’
I am proud to note that Georgia has shown remarkable resilience throughout difficult times and has learned a thing or two about how to counter them. Strengthening Georgia’s democratic institutions, boosting economic development and pursuing modernization are some of the important endeavors that we pursue to be more resilient in the face of the external threats,” Garibashvili stated.
During turbulent times, democracies must stick together. ???????? ???????? ???????? have just met with US President @Potus. Agreed to strengthen @NATO presence in the Eastern flank, support ???????? & ????????. US presence in the Baltics is crucial for the security of the whole Alliance. #NATOSummit #NATO2030 pic.twitter.com/N4houT6GZq
— Gitanas Nausėda (@GitanasNauseda) June 14, 2021
Garibashvili stated that the complex nature of modern hybrid warfare calls for joint effort and support from partners.
In that context, it is important that the NATO Summit 2021 focuses on the NATO-2030 agenda, which will become a basis for the new strategic concept of the alliance. We also welcome that reinvigoration of the NATO Open Door policy is one of the key recommendations produced by the NATO 2030 document and hope for the effective continuation of this policy in the years to come,” Garibashvili said.
He stated that for years NATO has been actively investing and engaged in resilience-building efforts in Georgia and that the country is committed to further deepening cooperation with NATO in this direction.
For Georgia this agenda is all the more pertinent, as we prepare ourselves for membership in the alliance,” Garibashvili stated.
The forum is attended by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and other global leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and others.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has been invited to participate and deliver a speech at Brussels Forum which will take place in parallel with the NATO June 14 summit, the Georgian Foreign Ministry says. The ministry states that the NATO secretary general, German chancellor, Canadian PM and other top foreign officials will also participate in the forum.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said ahead of the upcoming NATO summit that the progress that Georgia has achieved on its path to NATO integration will be adequately assessed and respected.
Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani says Georgia will be among the priority issues at the upcoming NATO summit of June 14, 'as a result of our active diplomatic efforts'.
US Senator Rob Portman, who has recently visited Georgia, stated that the US government should urge NATO ahead of the June 14 summit to provide a membership action plan (MAP) for Georgia and Ukraine.In an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, Portman said that getting both countries on the path to NATO membership would help protect them against Russian aggression.
“Georgia’s relationship with the alliance contains all the practical tools to prepare for eventual membership. We are working closely with Georgia on security in the Black Sea region, in response to Russia’s increasingly destabilising activities, and welcome the steps taken to implement the refreshed Substantial NATO-Georgia Package. We stand ready to enhance our support to Georgia, including in building resilience against hybrid threats, in training and exercises, and in secure communications. We look forward to the next NATO-Georgia exercise in 2022,” said the communique.
The United States and the EU say in a joint statement released following the June 14 NATO summit that they will support the reform path of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. “We resolve to work towards long-term peace, resilience and stability in the South Caucasus,” said the statement which is composed of 36 notes, with two notes about Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova. The statement has condemned ‘Russia's continued actions to undermine Ukraine’s and Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence’.
US Senator Jeanne Shaheen says that the US and NATO need to seriously consider NATO membership for Ukraine and Georgia, or at least provide a clear path for entry.