NATO Sec Gen: alliance values partnership with Georgia

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who is on a visit to Georgia, on Monday said his visit reflected how much the alliance valued the partnership with the country.

In his remarks at a meeting with the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Stoltenberg noted the “active political dialogue” between the sides.

Georgia is one of NATO’s closest partners. We highly appreciate your substantial contributions to NATO missions and operations, and we fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. South Ossetia and Abkhazia are part of Georgia”, the visiting official said.  

Stoltenberg also stressed NATO continued to call on Russia to reverse the recognition of the occupied Georgian territories as independent states.

He also added that Russia’s holding of presidential elections in the occupied parts of Georgia and Ukraine was “completely illegal”.