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By Sara Rajabova

In a time when the world is face to face with dangerous tendencies such as terrorism, local and regional conflicts, as well as the unresolved crises, the NATO foreign ministers have gathered in Brussels, Belgium to mull ways out of such a complicated situation.

NATO foreign ministers took steps to further the alliance’s adaptation to security challenges on the issues of high importance, the alliance reported.

On the second of the two-day meeting, one of main issues of discussion was the Ukraine crisis.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned about a real risk of a resumption of violence in Ukraine and called for the full implementation of the Minsk agreements. He noted that Russian-backed separatists have yet to withdraw their troops and equipment, and Ukraine has not been able to re-establish control over its border.

Stressing that there was some progress in the implementation of the Minsk agreements, he however said the situation remains fragile. Stoltenberg also again accused Russia for presence of its military personnel and equipment in the territory of Ukraine.

The alliance voiced continued political and practical support for Ukraine.

The Ukrainian authorities, as well as the United States and EU have repeatedly accused Moscow of interfering in the affairs of Ukraine. Russia denies it and calls the accusations unacceptable.

For the next time Georgia, who has been long eying to be a NATO nation, has only received another promise from the organization on its membership.

NATO's summit in Warsaw in July 2016 will prepare specific measures to strengthen the political and practical cooperation with Georgia.

NATO foreign ministers recalled that in the summit in Budapest in 2008, it was agreed that Georgia will become a member of NATO in the framework of an action plan for membership in the alliance.

The ministers welcomed Georgia’s positive democratic reforms and significant progress since 2008, and Georgia's relations with the alliance contain all the practical tools to prepare for possible membership.

While alliance is still mulling Georgia’s accession, NATO foreign ministers invited tiny Montenegro on December 2 to join the bloc in its first expansion since 2009, defying Russian warnings that enlargement of the U.S.-led bloc further into the Balkans would be a provocation.

NATO diplomats have said the decision is a message to Moscow on NATO's plans on expansion to eastwards, however, Stoltenberg said Montenegro’s invitation had nothing to do with Russia.

Russia has strictly opposed the alliance’s expansion to eastern and southeastern Europe and threatened to end joint projects with Montenegro, if the latter becomes NATO member.

Montenegro has been invited to join NATO but it can take up to 18 months for a country to formally join the alliance. Stoltenberg said he expected accession talks to go quickly, which suggests Montenegro may formally become a member no sooner than the next summit of NATO leaders in July in Warsaw.

The ministers reviewed the progress of the global coalition against ISIL, measures taken since the terrorist attacks in Paris, and the Vienna talks to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria.

On December 1, the ministers agreed to sustain the presence of the Resolute Support mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan forces with around 12,000 troops during 2016. They launched work to ensure funding for Afghanistan’s forces until 2020.

In a separate meeting on challenges to the south, ministers agreed to continue to provide measures to assure Turkey, the NATO ally most exposed to volatility from Syria.

Following the recent deterioration of Russia-Turkey ties over an incident of Turkey's shooting-down of a Russian bomber, the NATO members plan to send patrol aircraft and missiles to strengthen Ankara's air defenses on its border with Syria.

The alliance voiced support to Turkey after the incident, saying it has right to defend its borders.

The ministers further confirmed their support for partners in North Africa and the Middle East, including Jordan, Iraq, and Tunisia.

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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova

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