Opening Remarks by the NATO Secretary General

Ministers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to this meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission. As a country aspiring to join our Alliance, Georgia is a special partner for NATO. And we very much value our political dialogue and practical cooperation.

We will discuss the crisis in our neighbourhood caused by Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. At this time, it is more important than ever to stress that the breach of territorial integrity and sovereignty is unacceptable. That nations have the right to make their own free choices. And that those choices should be respected by all.

We remain firm in our support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. And we continue to support Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Georgia has demonstrated that it can be an exporter of security. You are the largest non-NATO troop contributor to our mission in Afghanistan. You have committed to contribute to our planned Resolute Support Mission. And we welcome your decision to take part in the NATO Response Force.

You have made remarkable progress with ambitious democratic and defence reforms. Further progress will require continued constructive cooperation between the government and the opposition. Following the presidential elections last year, the upcoming local elections in June will be another important milestone for Georgia’s maturing democracy.

Georgia can become a model for the region. A country that is spreading security and stability. That pursues real reforms, and reaps real benefits. And that is well on its way towards realising its sovereign choice of European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

With that, I would like to conclude the public part of our session, and I thank the representatives of the media for their attendance.