On September 15, 2008 in the framework of visit of NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer at Courtyard Mariotte Hotel was held the first constituent assembly of NATO-Georgia commission by format - 26+1. Together with the Secretary General Georgia was visited by the ambassadors of 26 member states of the Alliance.
The representatives of the North-Atlantic Alliance member states discussed the details of accelerated process of integration of Georgia in NATO, Russian aggression consequences, the situation in Georgia after the Russian aggression, establishment of Georgia-NATO commission and details of the Russian aggressive policy.
The session of NATO board was opened by the Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.
Also, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer met the Prime Minister of Georgia Vladimer Gurgenidze. NATO Secretary General and Prime Minister of Georgia signed the document on establishment of NATO-Georgia commission.
The NATO-Georgia Commission will have the following goals:
1. To deepen political dialogue and cooperation between NATO and Georgia at all appropriate levels;
2. To supervise the process set in hand at the NATO Bucharest Summit;
3. To coordinate Alliance efforts to assist Georgia in recovering from the recent conflict;
4. To underpin Georgia's efforts to take forward its political, economic, and defence-related reforms pertaining to its Euro-Atlantic aspirations for membership in NATO, with a focus on key democratic and institutional goals.
After the meeting NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and the Prime Minister of Georgia Vladimer Gurgenidze held the briefing with the media representatives.
"This is a really historical event as we have been present at the establishment of NATO-Georgia commission. This is very important step forward.
We will get the important instrument to deepen more and more our cooperation.
We appreciate that clear support and attention revealed by the Alliance to our actions and values. We believe that we will closely cooperate with the Alliance, Secretary General, NATO officials in anticipation of our meeting in December. Therefore we believe that our hopes. Our aspirations will be valued more, - stated the Prime Minister of Georgia Vladimer Gurgenidze.
NATO Secretary General stated that he had very interesting meetings in frames of Atlantic Alliance held in two sessions. Was established the NATO-Georgia commission. President Saakashvili participated in the first session and the Prime Minister of Georgia - in the second one. This all highlights the fact that in spite of the crisis and complicated political situation which Georgia is facing today NATO and its representatives are in Georgia. By this NATO shows that it supports the Georgia's wish to integrate in the Euro-Atlantic alliance.
We are ready to help your country as far as possible, - stated NATO Secretary General.
As Jaap de Hoop Scheffer noted, all parties shall meet the requirements of the six-point document, its spirit and letter, this is a very significant demand.
NATO-Georgia b Council will discuss the current problems, determine the aid to be provided by NATO to Georgia. This is a rather important dialogue and good result which has been attained already, - noted the Secretary General.
Press Center of the Chancellery of the Government of Georgia