Georgian PM: NATO has played “significant role” in enhancing Georgia’s defence capabilities

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday said NATO had played a “significant role” in enhancing the country’s defence capabilities and increasing its interoperability with the alliance.

Speaking at a press briefing with the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the Georgian PM said Georgia had also “significantly contributed” to the “shared Euro-Atlantic security” through its participation in missions and operations led by the bloc over the years. 

We have spared no effort to stand by the values of the North Atlantic Treaty, carrying out a comprehensive reform agenda and moving forward with our integration process despite the internal and external security challenges”, he told the briefing.

The PM also called the current European security situation “troubling”, with the “rules-based international order” facing “significant challenges”.

Twenty percent of Georgia’s territory is under occupation and at this challenging time the allies and international community should continue demonstrating unprecedented unity and strong commitment to the rules-based order and principles of international law”, Kobakhidze said.

Glad to welcome @PM_Kobakhidze to #NATO. Georgia is a valued partner and we fully support its sovereignty & territorial integrity. I welcome #Georgia’s support to Ukraine. I also count on Tbilisi to step up reforms on the path toward full membership in the Euro-Atlantic family. pic.twitter.com/HNXIDbsSzq

— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) February 21, 2024