Georgia to make all efforts to get closer to NATO
By Jamila Babayeva
The visit of NATO's military committee to Georgia is an unprecedented support to the country's aspirations to the alliance.
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili made the remark after the meeting with the NATO delegation led by Knud Bartels on February 11.
"Such a visit and this support are impetus to strengthening of our relations," he said.
Margvelashvili said the discussions with Bartels touched upon the format of Georgia's rapprochement with NATO and the progress made in this issue.
"Georgia intends to continue its contribution to ensuring the international security and therefore, two Georgian battalions serve in Afghanistan under NATO's ISAF mission," he noted.
He also stressed that Georgia is ready to offer its territory for withdrawal of the collation troops from Afghanistan.
"I want to thank you also for your support to Georgia's connection to the EU rapid reaction forces, and we hope that our efforts will get an adequate assessment at the NATO summit in the UK that will ensure the transition of our relationship to a new stage," he said.
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili also met with the NATO delegation.
At the meeting, Garibashvili said the Georgian government will make all efforts to continue reforms to get closer to the NATO.
The meeting focused on the importance of the NATO-Georgia relations and the existing strong partnerships were highlighted.
The parties noted Georgia's success on the path of reforms and democratic transformation in recent years. Georgia's role in international security and its participation in the international operation in Afghanistan were also appraised.
The meeting, which was held at the chancellery of the Georgian government, was attended by Defense Minister Irakli Alasania and chief of staff of the Georgian armed forces Vakhtang Kapanadze.