NATO Sec Gen: Georgia’s participation in NATO leaders meeting “important expression” of “solidarity, close partnership”

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday called the invitation for Georgian officials to meet with alliance leaders at its upcoming Madrid Summit an “important expression” of “solidarity” and “close partnership”.

Stoltgenberg said it was important that NATO allies “stepped up” their support to partners “vulnerable” for Russian aggression in light of the latter’s “brutal invasion” of Ukraine.

Russia has already invaded parts of Georgian territory [Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions]. Therefore, I also expect the [NATO] members will agree on concrete steps to further strengthen the practical partnership, the way we work together on training, and reforms to increase Georgia’s ability to stand up against Russian intervention”,  Stoltenberg said.

The NATO Madrid summit will be held between June 28-30 and bring together heads of governments of NATO member countries.

Defence ministers of the alliance meet in Brussels starting today for a two-day meeting likely to be dominated by the war in Ukraine. The event will include a working dinner to which representatives of Finland, Georgia, Sweden, Ukraine and the EU are invited.