NATO Sec-Gen: Russia’s presence in Georgia’s occupied regions on NATO ministerial agenda
“There can be no decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine and no decisions about Georgia without Georgia,” Stoltenberg said. Photo: nato.int.
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The presence of the Russian occupation forces in the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) was on the agenda of meetings involving NATO ministers of defence with their Georgian and Ukrainian counterparts in Brussels today, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in comments about the ministerial.
The alliance head pointed out the “close partnership” with Georgia and Ukraine, highlighting the “strong political and practical support” of NATO for both countries, and adding “we addressed the continued threat of Russian aggression and the deteriorating security situation in the Black Sea region.”
Stoltenberg underscored “strong support” of the alliance for Georgia and Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying “we cannot accept a return to an age of spheres of influence where big powers bully, intimidate or dictate to others.”
There can be no decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine and no decisions about Georgia without Georgia,” Stoltenberg said.
Thursday marked the second day of meetings of NATO ministers of defence in Brussels. Photo: nato.int.
Georgian defence minister Juansher Burchuladze met with Stoltenberg earlier today at the alliance's headquarters to discuss NATO’s “enhanced involvement” in the Black Sea region amid growing security challenges, and reforms being undertaken in Georgia's defence sector.
During the ministerial, Burchuladze also delivered a speech emphasising the support and solidarity for Ukraine amid the Russian military build-up near its borders for the past several months, highlighting the common security challenges of the two countries.
The minister also said Georgia was “successfully developing its institutional, training, and logistical capabilities” with the support of NATO and the United States.
NATO’s “enhanced involvement” in the Black Sea region amid growing security challenges, and reforms being undertaken in Georgia's defence sector were on the agenda as Georgian defence minister Juansher Burchuladze met NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels earlier today.
Georgian defence minister Juansher Burchuladze met with Head of NATO Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer on Wednesday and discussed the military cooperation between Georgia and the alliance.
Georgia’s defence minister Juansher Burchuladze and his Ukrainian colleague Oleksii Reznikov are set to meet NATO counterparts on Thursday, during sessions involving the alliance’s ministers of defence in Brussels, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced on Tuesday.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday that Russia should withdraw its forces from Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, noting “they are deployed without these countries’ consent.” He underscored that NATO respects Georgia’s and Ukraine’s decision to apply for membership of the alliance, adding it is the reason why NATO “has engaged in a very strong and close partnership with both these countries.”
Levan Zhorzholiani, the Chairman of the Legal Affairs and Human Rights Commission of Tbilisi City Assembly, has called on the international community to “remain vigilant” and “raise its voice” against what he labeled as “alarming developments” in the Russian-occupied regions of Georgia.
The joint Delegation of Canada to NATO on Friday said the country “strongly supported” Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, including eventual membership in NATO.
Defence ministers of Ukraine, Georgia, Finland and Sweden, along with representatives of the European Union, will take part in a meeting of NATO defence officials next month.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday said the alliance’s allied states had agreed to “step up partnership” with partners like Georgia.
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The NATO Parliamentary Assembly on Monday adopted a declaration condemning the continued occupation of Georgia's Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions.
Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze on Thursday took part in the virtual meeting of the 12th Ukraine Defence Contact Group to discuss the current situation in Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion.