Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Canada supports Georgia's territorial integrity and its commitment to NATO, Canada's National Defense Deputy Minister Richard Fadden said during a meeting with Georgia's Defense Deputy Minister Mikheil Darchiashvili in Ottawa on November 27.

The sides discussed the political situation in Georgia, the main priorities of its foreign policy and aspects of bilateral cooperation in the defense sector.

Particular attention was paid to the process of Georgia's accession to NATO.

The deputy ministers also discussed the situation in the occupied territories of Georgia and Georgian-Russian relations.

Darchiashvili also met with NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow and they discussed the prospects for Georgia's accession to NATO and the situation in the country.

As a significant contributor to the Euro-Atlantic security, Georgia is closely involved in NATO-led operations and its contribution to the ISAF operation in Afghanistan is of significant importance. Presently Georgia is the second largest troop contributor to Afghanistan among the non-NATO states. The country has participated in the international missions of NATO in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Georgia has also expressed its willingness to participate in the operations in Mali.

The country's bilateral relations with NATO were established in 1994 when the country joined the Partnership for Peace program (PfP). At the informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in 2006 it was decided to launch Intensified Dialogue on Membership Issues with the South Caucasus republic.

Georgia is currently a candidate for NATO membership and the U.S. is actively supporting its membership bid. Accession to NATO is one of the top foreign policy priorities of Georgia. Soon after the declaration of independence, Georgia joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council.