FM Zalkaliani at NATO Ministerial in Riga
The Riga Ministerial Meeting adopted a special report on aspirant countries, which reflects the progress made by the aspirant countries on the path to NATO integration, as well as specific mechanisms and new directions for assisting the aspirants on the path to membership. Photo: mfa.gov.ge.
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Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has participated in a meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Riga today.
During the Ministerial Meeting, the Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg and the Foreign Ministers of the member states reaffirmed their support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and its Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Highlighting that Georgia is a close partner of NATO, they underlined its contribution to global security, including NATO-led operations and missions.
The Secretary General of NATO noted that the Alliance remains committed to the decision taken at the Bucharest Summit and expresses its readiness to continue its political and practical support.
Delighted to be among the Allies. ????????'s participation in the #NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting once again emphasizes our country's strong partnership and progress on the path of integration. A huge thank you to Latvia ???????? for hosting and supporting the Alliance. #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/1c4MgeWizx
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) December 1, 2021
The security environment in the Black Sea region and recent developments were key points on the agenda of the Ministerial Meeting. Special attention was paid to the alliance’s cooperation with the partner countries, the strengthening of their integration mechanisms and further support.
The Riga Ministerial Meeting adopted a special report on aspirant countries, which reflects the progress made by the aspirant countries on the path to NATO integration, as well as specific mechanisms and new directions for assisting the aspirants on the path to membership.
During the preparations for the Ministerial Meeting, Georgia developed and presented to the Alliance its visions for the country’s integration into NATO, in terms of strengthening both practical and political support, including reforms, as well as enhancing the country’s defence capabilities and resilience
The Ministerial Meeting takes on special importance prior to the Alliance’s 2022 summit, where a new strategic concept for NATO is to be approved.
Georgian Foreign Affairs Minister David Zalkaliani will take part in a meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Riga on November 30 and December 1.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has stated that the invitation of Georgia to Riga Summit at the meetings of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) is the recognition of Georgia’s progress as an aspirant country by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
Georgia is expecting that the NATO 2022 summit in Madrid will make concrete messages on the alliance’s open door policy, Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani stated after the NATO Foreign Ministerial in Riga today. “The Riga Foreign Ministerial made me think that the NATO 2022 summit will be oriented on concrete results for the open-door policy,” Zalkaliani said.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said following the meeting of NATO foreign ministers that Georgia and Ukraine are both ‘long-standing and close NATO partners’. Stoltenberg further noted during his press conference that Georgia and Ukraine - both aspiring for NATO membership - contribute to its missions and operations.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has thanked US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for the US’s ‘firm support’ to Georgia at the meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Riga on December 1.