Stoltenberg: Georgia Has All Practical Tools to Become NATO Member

BRUSSELS – North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that cooperation with Georgia was of utmost importance for the Alliance.

”Georgia has all the practical tools to become a member of NATO. We will always support you in your aspirations and efforts,” Stoltenberg stated at the joint press-conference after meeting Georgia’s Prime Minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, yesterday.

Stoltenberg promised that the Alliance would continue political and practical support of Georgia in the future.

“We will provide strong political support for your independence, for your territorial integrity and sovereignty and we will continue providing our support for implementing reforms and conducting exercises,” he added.

The NATO Secretary General praised Georgia’s commitment to the Alliance and international security. He thanked Georgian soldiers serving in the NATO Resolute Support Mission who had reacted quickly and repelled a terroristic attack on the German Consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif on November 11.

Stoltenberg underlined that the Alliance would continue working with Georgia on the challenges of the Black Sea region, as it was of strategic importance for NATO, and partnership with Georgia was an important part of that.

Georgia’s PM said the sides discussed integration of Georgia to NATO and future plans for their cooperation. He stated that Georgia would continue contributing to global security by participation in various peacekeeping missions.

Kvirikashvili stressed that the recent ratification of a military deal between Russia and Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia was illegal and violated internationally recognized norms.

“Russia should fulfill its international obligations and withdraw its troops from the territory of Georgia,” said Kvirikashvili, then thanking Stoltenberg for supporting Georgia.

By Thea Morrison