Georgia seeks to move to new stage in relations with NATO
By Jamila Babayeva
Georgia is waiting for transition to a new stage in relations with NATO.
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili made the remark at the meeting with NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai on May 1.
"A new stage will contribute to the further consolidation of democracy in the country," he said.
The meeting discussed issues regarding NATO ministerial in Brussels and Wales Summit. They also focused on progress achieved by Georgia towards NATO integration and emphasized the importance of implemented reforms in this direction.
"The meeting with Prime Minister of Georgia was quite interesting," Appathurai said after the meeting. "I have approved the latest reforms to Garibashvili, which were carried out by the government and discussed, how this progress can be reflected in NATO decision."
He said NATO strongly supports the active dialogue with Russia and considers that this is the best way to reduce tension.
During the visit, Appathurai also met with President Giorgi Margvelashvili, during which the sides discussed Georgia's prospects towards integration to NATO.
Appathurai invited Margvelashvili to visit NATO's headquarters in Brussels in the near future.
During Margvelasivili's visit to Brussels a meeting with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen will be held, the president's administration reported.
Appathurai also met with Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze.
The sides discussed the issues of Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration and focused on the current situation in Georgia and the region.