Stoltenberg: Georgia Has All Practical Tools to Become NATO Member

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Georgia has all the practical tools for joining NATO.

“I expect that the heads of NATO member states will say that Georgia will become an alliance member,” he told 1TV.

“The reality is that we need a consensus to take the next step…This means more support for Georgia, more joint exercises and more NATO representation in Georgia. I want to tell you that this is very important for Georgia and it is very important for NATO," he added.

According to Stoltenberg, the leaders of the NATO member states will repeat the statement made at the Bucharest summit in 2008 that Georgia will become NATO member.

“We recognize the progress Georgia has achieved. This applies to many areas and directions, which relate to defense reforms, modernization of security and defense institutions,” said Stoltenberg, adding NATO expresses its gratitude to Georgia for its contribution to the global security.

NATO Secretary General stated that at July 11-12 summit in Brussels it is planned to adopt a statement about Georgia.

“In the statement we will continue to support Georgia…The 29 leaders have clearly stated that Georgia will become a NATO member. Consensus is necessary to invite Georgia to NATO. This requires the consent of all countries of NATO and we have no such a consensus today,” he explained.

The Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili and the Georgian delegation have already left for Brussels to take part in the summit and hold meetings with the heads of NATO member states.

By Thea Morrison

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