NATO Sec General Praises Georgia’s Progress amid Russia’s Criticism
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Monday, December 17
“Georgia is moving forward and effectively uses all mechanisms for integration, which brings it closer to NATO membership”, - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at the NATO-Georgia Commission meeting at the NATO Headquarters last week.
He said that Georgia has made “impressive progress” in the process of implementation of comprehensive reforms and it is a clear example of democratic development.
He said that 2018 was quite dynamic in terms of NATO-Georgia relations, the clear confirmation of which was the North Atlantic Council meeting with Georgia and Ukraine at the highest level within the July summit and adoption of a joint declaration.
The statement came shortly after the accusations of Russia that NATO and the US are straining situation in the region when they are supporting Georgia develop its military capabilities.
After the Geneva International Discussions last week Russia has grilled NATO and US.
“The Russian, Abkhaz and South Ossetian delegations [two occupied regions of Georgia] reiterated that the main challenge to regional security is the military activities of the US and NATO on Georgian territory, including the plans of Washington and Tbilisi to modernize the military airfield in Vaziani [near Tbilisi] and conduct the next large-scale multinational military exercises in 2019,” the Russian Foreign Ministry wrote in the wake of the 46th meeting of the Geneva International Discussions on Georgian conflict issues on 11-12 December.
“We believe that the recent statements by NATO Secretary General and US Secretary of State in support of Georgia’s membership in NATO are provocative. It was just such irresponsible promises in August 2008 that pushed Tbilisi towards a criminal military adventure,” the Russian Foreign Ministry wrote.
