Georgian Defense Minister and NATO Sec-Gen Stoltenberg discuss alliance's regional involvement

17/02/2022

21:32

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NATO’s enhanced involvement in the Black Sea region amid growing security challenges, and reforms being undertaken in Georgia's defense sector were on the agenda as Georgian Defense Minister, Juansher Burchuladze, met NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels earlier today.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed common security challenges and recent threats from Russia in the region.

Prospects of deepening NATO-Georgia cooperation and reforms implemented by the Defense Ministry for increasing the country’s compatibility with NATO were also considered.

The NATO head praised the reforms and the level of compatibility of the Georgian Defence Forces in his comments. He also reiterated “firm support” for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The meeting also focused on the 2022 NATO-Georgia Exercise, set to take place in Georgia in March for the third time, with the involvement of over 20 alliance member and partner countries.

NATO Secretary-General welcomed both the Georgian Defense Minister and his Ukrainian counterpart, Oleksii Reznikov, today in Brussels, emphasizing “NATO’s strong political and practical support” for Georgia and Ukraine, adding the alliance has “close coordination” with both countries amid rising tensions in the region.

Meetings of NATO Ministers of Defense in Brussels began on Wednesday and their sessions will be hosted through Thursday.

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