NATO Sec-Gen cites Georgia as “one of closest partners”, vows continued “political, practical” support
Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General, on Tuesday hosted the Georgian PM at the alliance’s headquarters. Photo: Jens Stoltenberg’s Twitter
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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.
In a press briefing with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili in Brussels, Stoltenberg said NATO could also count on Georgia to “redouble efforts on domestic reforms, and uphold democratic standards”.
In his remarks, the alliance’s top figure reiterated his office’s “full support” for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and stressed NATO continued to call on Russia to withdraw its troops from the occupied Georgian territories.
Stoltenberg noted his discussion with the head of the Georgian Government had also reviewed bilateral partnership and prospects to further strengthen it, noting the Georgian people had “clearly demonstrated” their Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
NATO will continue to partner with you as you strive to achieve these aspirations”, Stoltenberg said.
He also commended Georgia's efforts “to implement reforms and maintain democratic standards”.
Speaking about Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Stoltenberg warned the alliance did not know when the conflict could end, but said “we know that Russian aggression is a toxic pattern that must be stopped once and for all”.
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".
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.
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.”
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.
Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau will be in Georgia on an official visit between Wednesday and Friday to meet top officials in the country, the Georgian foreign service said.
Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau on Wednesday arrived in Georgia on an official visit and was welcomed by the Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Teimuraz Janjalia at the Tbilisi International Airport, the Georgian Foreign Ministry said.
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.
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”.
The Georgian Defence Ministry on Tuesday issued a statement regarding the question of participation of the country’s Defence Forces in the multinational exercise Defender 2023 and said the “biassed” information spread by some media outlets and individuals was “another provocation” towards the Ministry.
The United States Embassy in Georgia on Wednesday issued a statement on military cooperation between the two states in 2023 and stressed US-Georgia continued “to do more across a broad range of cooperative military activities”.
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.
The Georgian Parliamentary delegation is participating in the Spring Session of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Parliamentary Assembly in Luxembourg between Saturday and Monday, attending the Assembly’s committees and holding bilateral meetings with the delegations of the member states of the Alliance.
Alec Shelbrooke, the head of the British Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, on Sunday said Georgia's place was in the “Euro-Atlantic space” and noted the country must continue implementing its reforms to prepare for an eventual membership in the alliance.
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.
Bilateral cooperation in defence was discussed on Wednesday in a meeting between the Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze and the British Ambassador Mark Clayton.
The “dynamic” development of relations between Georgia and NATO are highlighted in the annual report on the work of the country’s Government, set to be submitted to the Parliament today before it is presented to MPs by the Prime Minister later this month.
Julianne Smith, the United States Ambassador to North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, on Friday said Georgia was “already an incredibly close partner” of the Alliance, noting the 2008 Bucharest Summit declared that “not only” Ukraine, but also Georgia would become a member of NATO.
Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General, on Friday said the importance of strengthening the partnership with Georgia would be addressed at the upcoming Summit in Vilnius, with Ukraine being “at the top of the agenda” as “there is a full-fledged war taking place” in the country.
Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations were discussed on Monday in a meeting between Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and Bärbel Bas, the President of the German Bundestag, who is on an official visit to the country.