Georgia's Foreign Minister Meets NATO Secretary General

Georgia’s positive implementation of its Annual National Program 2017, together with Georgia-NATO cooperation and regional developments were the main topics of a meeting between Georgia’s Foreign Minister, Mikheil Janelidze and NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg.

The meeting took place at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on January 31, before the NATO-Georgia Commission (NGC) session, which provides the framework for close political dialogue and cooperation in support of the country’s reform efforts and its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

The process of Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration, including Georgia's implementation of the 2017 National Program and reforms in the fields of democracy and defense, were positively assessed at the meeting.

The Georgian Minister thanked the NATO Secretary General for his support towards Georgia, and expressed hope that the current positive dynamics of NATO-Georgia cooperation will continue to be active in the future as well.

At the meeting, the NATO Secretary General was informed about the situation in the occupied regions of Georgia. Stoltenberg reaffirmed his firm support to Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Also, it was underlined that Georgia plays an important role in the region, adding the country contributes to overall Euro-Atlantic security.

The conversation touched upon the security of the Black Sea region and Georgia's participation in the Alliance's practical efforts to strengthen the Black Sea.

It was noted that NATO will continue practical and political support of Georgia, in the process of strengthening the country's defense capabilities and security.

Furthermore, Janelidze attended the NGC meeting, adding “at the session of the Commission, the Alliance's assessment of Georgia's Annual National Program was positively evaluated by the reforms in the democratic, economic and defense spheres implemented in the country.”

“Georgia is moving forward and using all the practical instruments at its disposal in order to achieve its ultimate goal - membership in NATO,” the Minister added.

#Georgia keeps advancing in the implementation of Annual National Program ANP. The country demonstrates impressive progress in its domestic reforms/@NATO integration process - Duly acknowledged by the Allies pic.twitter.com/3UejGalu7E

— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) January 31, 2018

By Thea Morrison