Gov’t’s new state programme: Euro-Atlantic integration remains key foreign policy objective

The Georgian Government’s new state programme For Building the European State, published by the Parliament on Friday, says the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration and further success in this regard, remain a key foreign policy objective under the Constitution of Georgia.

Georgia, as an aspirant country, is committed to leveraging essential tools for integration into the Alliance, such as the updated NATO-Georgia Essential Package, the annual national programme, and the NATO-Georgia Commission, the document notes, stressing the continuous efforts will be made to enhance NATO's representation in Georgia through various means, including exercises and training initiatives.

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Practical and political cooperation with NATO within the framework of the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme will also continue. Georgia actively cooperates with NATO on the Black Sea region security matters and remains a reliable partner of the Alliance’s eastern flank”, the state programme reads.

The document also refers to intensifying work to further deepen the strategic partnership with the United States, the main strategic partner of Georgia, including in all the main directions of the US-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership - defence and security, European and Euro-Atlantic integration, peaceful conflict resolution, trade and economic ties, as well as democratic institution building.

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Georgia is committed to the implementation of initiatives outlined in the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package, which aim to enhance the country’s defence and security capabilities, resilience, and compatibility with NATO standards”, the new programme notes, adding special emphasis will be given to reinforcing partnership within the European Peace Facility, intensifying cooperation with the European Defence Agency and the Cyber Security Agency.

It is also said in the document that the US financial support, allocated to the Georgian Defence Ministry for the modernisation of equipment in the Defence Forces and development of the field, will amount to more than $50 million by 2024.

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In 2024, Georgia is set to host the US European Command's multinational exercise Trojan Footprint and the US-Georgia drills Noble Partner, while Georgian military forces will also participate in the US-organised exercises abroad.

The programme includes continued implementation of the Georgia Defence and Deterrence Enhancement Initiative with the US, which focuses on enhancing deterrence, territorial defence, resistance, and resilience capabilities, fostering compatibility with NATO, instituting reforms, and expediting the modernisation of the Georgian Defence Forces.

Georgia seeks to deepen cooperation with NATO and EU members, Black Sea region countries, and other partners, the document stresses, noting this approach aims at stability, security, and defence capabilities in the region.