NATO Liaison Office (NLO) Georgia

Mission

• Represent NATO in Georgia
• Facilitate political/military dialogue and practical cooperation under the NATO-Georgia Commission in support of Georgia’s efforts to join NATO.
• Enhance civil and military cooperation between NATO and the Government of Georgia in support Euro-Atlantic integration goals described in the Annual National Plan (ANP).

Tasks

• Provide advice and assistance to the Government of Georgia in support of civilian and military reform efforts required for NATO integration.
• Provide advice to Georgian and NATO authorities on the planning and implementation of cooperation programmes and activities.
• Conduct liaison with Georgian, NATO, Allied and partner authorities to enhance cooperation and understanding in pursuit of the NATO/Georgia goal of Georgia becoming a full NATO member.
• Facilitate NATO and Allied bilateral and multilateral projects, events and visits.

Current priorities

• Strengthen Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration reform process:
  • Assist Georgia in planning and implementing the civilian and military reform goals defined in the Annual National Programme (ANP).
  • Support the planning and implementation of the civilian and military reform objectives set forth in various NATO Programmes, in particular the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package and the NATO-Georgia Professional Development Programme.
  • Support the planning and implementation of military reforms defined in the Georgia annual Work Plan developed by Georgia and the Military Committee.

• Enhance NATO-Georgia political and practical dialogue
  • Engage Georgian political and military senior leadership.
  • Engage Georgian civilian and military institutions at the expert level.

• Support transformation and democratic oversight of the defence and security sector:
  • Engage parliament and the executive regarding the defence forces.
  • Engage non-governmental organisations (NGOs) interested in defence and security oversight in order to strengthen the role of civil society in national security and defence issues.
• Engage in public affairs
  • Highlight the work of NATO in Georgia and abroad to key stakeholders, i.e. the local population, elected officials, government officials, experts, academia etc.
  • Engage and inform Georgian society through intensified public diplomacy outreach to increase public awareness of NATO and NATO-Georgia relations.
  • Monitor current trends and developments and report to Allies and other relevant stakeholders.

NATO programmes in Georgia

NATO has a wide variety of programmes also known as tools active in Georgia.  These tools are wide in scope and aim at supporting a whole of government approach when it comes to Georgia’s security and defence as well as membership aspirations.

Annual National Programme is an overarching document that compiles Georgia’s reform efforts for a specific year. In many ways it is roadmap of reforms but also a way to really highlight all the developments undertaken in the country. It includes 5 chapters that cover every aspect of the state, from judicial to defence sector;

Substantial NATO-Georgia Package is aimed at improving Georgia’s defence capabilities, increasing its resilience, enhancing interoperability with NATO, and supporting NATO membership preparation process.

Partnership for Peace (PfP) Planning and Review Process helps develop the ability of Georgian forces to work with NATO and provides planning targets that are key to security reform objectives in several areas.

The Defence Education Enhancement Programme assists to improve education and training, which is essential for Georgia’s defence reform efforts, focusing on the National Defence University and the four-year Military Academy, and supporting the Non-Commissioned Officer Training Centre.

The NATO-Georgia Professional Development Programme for civilian personnel is strengthening the capacity for democratic management and oversight in the defence ministry and other security sector institutions.

Georgia also participates in the Building Integrity Programme, which provides practical assistance and advice for strengthening integrity, accountability and transparency in the defence and security sector.

A number of NATO Trust Fund projects supported by individual Allies and partner countries have helped Georgia to safely dispose of stockpiles of surplus and obsolete weapons and munitions, and to clear mines and unexploded munitions including from the ammunitions depot at Skra (near Gori).

Georgia has been actively engaged in the Science for Peace and Security Programme. Scientists and experts from Georgia are working to address a wide range of security issues, notably in the fields of energy security, support to NATO-led operations, counter-terrorism and the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

The Work Plan of the Military Committee with Georgia focuses on supporting implementation of military and defence-related cooperation, strategic planning and defence reforms, and increasing interoperability for deployment on NATO-led operations.

General organizational information

• The NATO Liaison Office was officially opened on 1 October 2010.
• The NATO Liaison Office team consists of professionals from NATO International Staff, NATO International Military Staff, Voluntary National Contributions from Allied Nations, and Georgian Local Staff.