NATO’s Stoltenberg Praises Georgia Cooperation

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg underlined the importance and strength of the partnership between NATO and Georgia during a visit to the country on Monday (25 March 2019).

Stoltenberg is there to observe the NATO-Georgia exercise, training which will improve the ability of Georgian and NATO forces to work together. Speaking alongside Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, the Secretary General said the exercise shows how the Alliance and Georgia are stepping up their cooperation.

“We will continue working together to prepare Georgia for NATO membership,” Stoltenberg said.

Stoltenberg highlighted Georgia’s efforts to modernize its armed forces and to build more effective defense institutions.

Stoltenberg emphasized that NATO fully supports Georgia’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

“We call on Russia to end its recognition of the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and to withdraw its forces,” Stoltenberg said, adding, “We also share your concerns about Russia’s military build-up in the Black Sea region.”

“That is why we are strengthening the cooperation between Georgian and NATO naval forces,” Stoltenberg said.