Georgian leadership to be invited to NATO Summit - Deputy Sec Gen

The Georgian leadership will be invited to the NATO Summit that will be held in Madrid at the end of June, Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană said in a doorstep statement earlier today, ahead of an informal meeting of NATO ministers of foreign affairs in Berlin.

NATO will always respect the right of nations in Europe, and around the world, to choose their own path. This is not subject to anyone else’s veto. [It] is the discussion about that country and the organisation they want to join,” Geoană said.

Georgia is the enhanced opportunity partner for us. We've been working with them for years and years. And I also know that the leadership of Georgia will be invited at the NATO Summit," the alliance official added.

Watch the full statement here:

The Deputy Secretary General also noted the open door policy remained "sacrosanct" for NATO, adding Georgia was "a very important partner" for the alliance.

The Black Sea is becoming more important. We see the effect of blockade of the Black Sea in an attempt by Russia to suffocate Ukraine's economy, and also to create food insecurity in many other parts of the world,” he noted in comments on the circumstances in the region since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that started in February.

Geoană also noted the alliance was “looking in ways to make sure” its partners in the region, as well as in the Balkans, were “supported by us in these complex moments".