Tbilisi, 7 September 2016 - Welcoming NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and members of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) to Georgia for a two day visit, Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili reaffirmed his country's steadfast commitment to NATO integration.
"Becoming a member state of the NATO is the firm will of the Georgian people and our government will spare no effort to achieve this goal," said the Prime Minister.
In remarks following the political dialogue of the NATO-Georgia Commission, the Prime Minister said the NATO-Georgia "substantial package", agreed at the Wales Summit in 2015 and reinforced in Warsaw this year, was a clear "manifestation of the practical support and dynamic relations" between Georgia and the Alliance. He said that Georgia would fully implement the available practical mechanisms in order to "support and accelerate the political decision of Georgia's accession to the NATO", adding that this process was critical for European security, which is "unimaginable without stability in the region".
He also welcomed the clear recognition by NATO of the success of Georgia's ongoing reform programme: "We are extremely happy that on the part of NAC we heard the unanimous support for Georgia's progress, economic development and security reforms. As country aspiring to membership, Georgia is being recognised as a competent and reliable partner."
Speaking at the joint press conference, Secretary General Stoltenberg said that "the presence of the North Atlantic Council representing all 28 Allies and also Montenegro shows the strong commitment and the strong partnership between NATO and Georgia".
"NATO and Georgia have a remarkable, mutually supportive relationship. Our partnership is strong. And our partnership is getting even stronger," said the Secretary General.
Georgia, according to Mr. Stoltenberg, has made "impressive progress" in domestic reforms as well as "substantial sacrifices in service of our shared Euro-Atlantic security". "We will continue to count on Georgia. And we will continue to support you," he said.
"And while contributing to international security, Georgia has also carried out ambitious defence reforms here at home. You are continuing to strengthen your democracy and civic institutions. And this has helped Georgia move closer to NATO," said Mr. Stoltenberg, adding that thanks to constitutional and electoral reforms, "we look forward to the upcoming elections [on 8 October] meeting the highest democratic standards of free and fair elections."
While in Georgia, NAC members also visited the Joint Training and Evaluation Centre which marked its first anniversary in August. NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow opened the new Information Centre on NATO and the EU, and the Secretary General and Ambassadors also attended the Tbilisi International Conference.