NATO seeking ways to deepen partnership with Georgia

NATO has noted the progress Georgia has made in a number of areas and pointed to the need to continue internal reforms, North Atlantic Alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said after a meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Interfax reports.

"During the meeting, we discussed the NATO-Georgia partnership and ways to deepen it. I welcome the progress made in areas such as crisis management, cyber security, military engineering, secure communications," Stoltenberg said.

He congratulated Georgia on obtaining the status of a candidate country for EU accession.

"It is now important for Georgia to continue to pursue internal reforms and adhere to democratic values. We want to see Georgia moving in the right direction: toward democracy and prosperity and membership in the Euro-Atlantic family. NATO will continue to support you as you work to realize these aspirations," the Alliance Secretary General added.

According to the Georgian prime minister, his first visit to Brussels is a confirmation that Euro-Atlantic integration is very important for his country.

"Today, our allies and the international community must demonstrate unprecedented unity based on the established world order and principles of international law. I once again want to reiterate our commitment to our partnership with NATO," Kobakhidze said.

The Georgian prime minister held meetings with the EU and NATO leadership in Brussels.