NATO Sec Gen welcomes Georgia’s “crucial” humanitarian, financial aid to Ukraine

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who is on a visit to Georgia, on Monday welcomed Georgia’s hosting of “thousands of Ukrainian refugees” and provision of “crucial humanitarian and financial aid” to the country amid the ongoing war.

In his remarks about his meeting with the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Stoltenberg noted the two officials also addressed the topic of security in the Black Sea region.

NATO’s partnership with Georgia is already strong, and today we discussed how to develop it even further. In January we agreed to a new individually tailored partnership programme to deepen the partnership between Georgia and NATO”, the visiting official said.

“I welcome the progress made in areas like crisis management, cybersecurity and military engineering. NATO stands by your side as you continue your path towards stronger democracy and full Euro-Atlantic integration, including the 2008 Bucharest Summit decision that Georgia will become a member of NATO”, he continued.

The Secretary General stressed the European Union membership candidate status, granted to Georgia last year, was a “major opportunity” to enhance the country’s “stability and prosperity”.

He further added it was “important” for the Georgian Government to “strengthen domestic reforms, democratic values and rule of law”, including through ensuring “free and fair” parliamentary elections in October.