Georgian parliament speaker, defence minister, foreign minister hold meetings with NATO representative

Georgian parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili and defence minister Juansher Burchuladze, as well as foregin minister Ilia Darchiashvili, on Tuesday, held meetings with Javier Colomina, the NATO secretary general’s special representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia.

At the meeting, Papushvil and Colomina discussed current reforms and plans of the Georgian parliament for the implementation of the EU recommendations to grant the country the membership candidate status, the parliament press office said.

Shalva Papuashvili and Javier Colomina. Photo: Parliament of Georgia press office

The parliament speaker thanked Colomina for his “personal efforts” to promote Georgia’s integration in NATO, while the secretary general’s representative expressed his “readiness” for further cooperation to facilitate the country’s integration in the alliance.

Burchuladze and Colomina exchanged views on the security environment and challenges in the Black Sea region, and stressed the importance of “increasing” NATO’s involvement in “strengthening” the security of the region, against the background of a “difficult situation” with Russia’s invasion in Ukraine.

The defence ministry said that at the meeting, the parties had discussed the importance of the alliance's support tailored to Georgia's needs, which, due to the “growing security challenges” in the region, required strengthening the country's defence capability, stability and compatibility with NATO, while highlighting the “successful role” of the NATO-Georgia Essential Package.

Juansher Burchuladze and Javier Colomina. Photo: Defence ministry

The defence minister and the NATO secretary general’s special representative also discussed the reforms implemented in the defence system, the priority areas of cooperation and future plans, with Colomina reaffirming NATO's “firm and unwavering support” for Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

All important aspects of NATO-Georgia cooperation were discussed by Darchiashvili and Colomina, the foreign ministry said, with both sides stressing the importance of “timely” implementation of the decisions made at the Madrid Summit regarding Georgia in June.

Ilia Darchiashvili and Javier Colomina. Photo: MFA of Georgia

During the meeting, the “difficult” security environment created in the Black Sea region and NATO’s “unwavering” support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity were emphasised, with Darchiashvili expressing gratitude for Colomina’s “personal contribution” and support in the country’s NATO integration.