Joint statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with the President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili (NATO Summit Brussels)
(As delivered)
Good morning.
President Margvelashvili, my friend Giorgi.
Welcome to NATO Headquarters.
It’s good to see you again and welcome to the NATO Headquarters.
I am delighted that you are here and I’m delighted that you have been able to join us for this Summit here in Brussels.
It is ten years since the first meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission.
In that time, our partnership has become increasingly close.
NATO’s relationship with Georgia is unique.
You are one of the Alliance’s most important operational partners.
And a trusted friend.
Our partnership makes NATO and Georgia safer and more secure.
We are grateful for Georgia’s continuing contributions to our Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan. And recognise the sacrifices the Georgian people have made for our shared security.
We fully support Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
Georgia will become a member of NATO.
Allied leaders reaffirmed this yesterday.
And we will continue to work with you to prepare for membership.
We are impressed by the progress you are making on reforms.
And encourage you to continue.
The Substantial NATO-Georgia Package is already bolstering your country’s defence reform efforts.
I am pleased with the close cooperation between the NATO Training Centre in Poland and the NATO-Georgia Joint Training Centre outside Tbilisi.
And I expect to see broad Allied participation in next year’s NATO-Georgia exercise.
I also thank you for your contribution to stability in the Black Sea region.
A strategic region.
Where we are stepping up our cooperation.
NATO supports Georgia’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
Which includes the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Finally, we congratulate you on your commitment to match the NATO guideline of spending 2% of GDP on defence.
Mister President, Giorgi, thank you again for being here with all the NATO leaders.
The relationship between NATO and your country is stronger than ever.
So once again, welcome, it’s great to see you.