PM highlights “readiness” to “further deepen” political dialogue, practical cooperation with NATO
In his remarks at a press briefing with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Garibashvili noted he was “grateful” for the support Georgia was receiving on its Euro-Atlantic path from members of the alliance. Photo: NATO
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Tuesday expressed his Government’s “readiness” to further deepen political dialogue and practical cooperation with NATO "in all dimensions".
In his remarks at a press briefing with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Garibashvili noted he was “grateful” for the support Georgia was receiving on its Euro-Atlantic path from members of the alliance.
I would like to thank you for this meeting to discuss our bilateral relations - especially in today's turbulent security situation, with the war in Ukraine, which is a very big challenge for us, for the European security architecture, for Georgia and for the entire region. Besides, Georgia has its own problem due to the ongoing Russian occupation”, Garibashvili said.
The head of the Government thanked Stoltenberg for his personal efforts and leadership to make NATO “united, strong and even more advanced” in relation to its partners.
I am grateful for the support from members of the alliance on the Euro-Atlantic path of Georgia, for your support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia. As one of the reliable and capable partners, Georgia has quite a good experience in contributing to the missions of the Alliance. We contribute to Euro-Atlantic peace and security, and this is well known to all”, he noted.
Garibashvili stressed his country’s Euro-Atlantic integration remained the “main priority” of its foreign policy.
[I]t was a privilege for us to open a joint training centre in 2015, which is an excellent example of how NATO and Georgia cooperate with each other, and for that I want to thank you again. We are ready to further deepen our political dialogue and practical cooperation with NATO in all dimensions”, Garibashvili concluded.
The process of Georgia's accession to the European Union was discussed on Tuesday in a meeting between the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Charles Michel, the President of the European Council.
Javier Colomina, the NATO Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, on Wednesday said the decision taken at the NATO 2008 Bucharest Summit - where the bloc pledged Georgia and Ukraine would become its members - remained in force for Georgia.
Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General, on Tuesday said the Russian aggression against Georgia and Ukraine had pushed the alliance to add new members and take actions to further strengthen its position on the Eastern flank.
Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General, on Tuesday described Georgia as “one of closest partners” of the alliance and pledged “continued political and practical support” for the country.
The dynamics of Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, as well as the heavy agenda of bilateral cooperation between the country and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, was discussed on Tuesday by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Tuesday assessed Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s visit to Brussels, saying at the official meetings, Georgia had been “once again” highlighted as an “important and valuable” partner of NATO in the region.
Julianne Smith, the United States Ambassador to North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, hailed Georgia’s “excellent and very close” relationship with the alliance and highlighted the country as NATO’s one of the “closest partners”, in an interview with Imedi TV on Friday.
Development of global partnership was discussed on Monday in a meeting between the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and permanent representatives of select country members at the United Nations.
Irakli Beraia, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's Defence and Security Committee, on Tuesday called “anti-state, misinforming and shameful” the claim by Teona Akubardia, an MP from the opposition Lelo party, who earlier during the day said the Georgian Defence Forces’ non-involvement in NATO exercises was a “gift to the Kremlin and damaging to our defence capabilities”.
James Appathurai, the NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges, on Wednesday said he did not have an “exact answer” when Georgia would become a NATO member country, but noted it was “clear” that “sooner or later” it would happen, highlighting the country as “one of the closest partners” for the alliance.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday said the European Union not granting Georgia its membership candidate status would work to embolden a “radical scenario” by “destructive forces” in the country.
Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General, on Wednesday said the alliance would continue to support its partners facing pressure from Russia, including Georgia, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday highlighted the importance of the country’s further progress in its NATO integration on the backdrop of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and subsequent “security challenges” in a meeting with Javier Colomina, the NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia.
Javier Colomina, the NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, on Wednesday said the alliance was “fully committed” to Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations, the “open door” policy and the decision taken at the NATO 2008 Bucharest Summit, where the bloc had pledged Georgia and Ukraine would become its members.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday highlighted that Russia's “aggressive actions” against its neighbouring countries had started not with its occupation of Crimea in 2014, but at least as far back as its 2008 invasion of Georgia.
Javier Colomina, the NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, on Thursday said his meetings with Georgian officials in Tbilisi had involved “good talks”, and pledged the alliance “remains committed” to Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.