NATO Sec-Gen: ECHR verdict confirms Russia is responsible for human rights violations in Abkhazia, Tskhinvali
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has met with Georgian President Salome Zurabiashvili in Brussels earlier today. Photo: NATO.
Tweet 
Share
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has met with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili in Brussels earlier today where he said that the recent judgement of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in the Russia-Georgia 2008 war case ‘confirms that Russia is responsible for human rights violations in Georgia’s occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia (Tskhinvali) regions, and that Russia actually exercises control there’.
It (the judgement) only strengthens our call for Russia to comply with international law and respect Georgia’s territorial integrity,” Stoltenberg stated at a press conference with Zurabishvili.
Stoltenberg said that ‘Georgia is one of NATO’s most important partners and we have a close political partnership and strong practical cooperation.’
He said that there is a room to further strengthen NATO-Georgia cooperation.
Good to meet President @Zourabichvili_S. #Georgia is an important partner & I look forward to further strengthening our partnership. #NATO fully supports Georgia’s reforms, sovereignty & territorial integrity. pic.twitter.com/HyBa7yQQUy
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) January 22, 2021
We strengthened NATO-Georgia Substantial Package last year, so we can also further strengthen our practical cooperation.We have the NATO liaison office in Tbilisi, we have the joint training, and emulation centre, and with the enhanced package, we are focusing on different things but, including the implementation of secure communications projects, continued support to the joint training, and emulation centre and more NATO-Georgia exercises in 2022,” Stoltenberg said.
He stated that NATO and Georgia are expected to further strengthen cooperation in the maritime field.
Stoltenberg said Georgia should continue its reforms to become the member of the alliance.
We need strong democratic institutions. We need to make sure that we have more than, and capable security institutions. And of course, civilian control over both the military and the intelligence services. On all these issues we're working together, and reform is the key effort, the key task for Georgia, as you move towards NATO membership,” Stoltenberg said.
Stoltenberg also praised Georgia’s commitment to international peace and security.