NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Brussels to discuss further strengthening the Alliance’s long-standing partnership with Georgia. The Secretary General emphasised that Georgia is a close partner and reiterated NATO’s full support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “NATO continues to call on Russia to reverse the recognition of Georgian territories as independent states”, - Stoltenberg said. “Any threats by Russia to annex Georgia’s occupied regions are unacceptable.”

"Congratulations on your appointment as the Prime Minister of Georgia and we look forward to working with you. Georgia is a country whose territorial integrity and sovereignty we support. NATO calls on Russia to protect the integrity of the territory of Georgia, and it is unacceptable for us that Russia occupies the territories of Georgia. This year is already the second year that Russia has been carrying out aggressive actions in Ukraine, and this makes the situation very difficult, although Ukrainians are exceedingly fulfilling their expectations and are mistaken about the expectations they had for the country. New aid packages have been announced in the last couple of days, with billions of euros to help Ukraine with defense, artillery and F-16 equipment. NATO partners play an important role in the development of these packages, including Georgia, and thousands of Ukrainian refugees are sheltered in Georgia. Today we talked about the current situation in the region, which is relevant for Georgia. It is a significant risk in itself that Russia carries out these aggressive actions in the vicinity of Georgia, in Ukraine, and we call on the members of the alliance to secure the Black Sea for free movement. Today at the meeting we will discuss the partnership between Georgia and NATO, how to develop it further. We welcome the progress the country has made in crisis management, cyber security, defense and secure communications. Also, after receiving the candidate status, we congratulate the country and call on it to implement reforms at a greater pace locally. We are very happy that Georgia is moving in the right direction in terms of prosperity, democracy and full membership in the Euro-Atlantic family. We in NATO are fully aware that we stand by your side and we welcome you once again to Brussels, to our headquarters. Now it is important for Georgia to continue and step up domestic reforms and uphold democratic values. We want to see Georgia move in the right direction. Toward more democracy and prosperity. Toward full membership in the Euro-Atlantic family. NATO will continue to stand by your side as you work toward fulfilling those aspirations," - said the Secretary General.

The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General said, "My first visit to Brussels as the new Prime Minister of Georgia is a clear confirmation that this direction is very important for us".

"Thank you very much for welcoming the Secretary General to the NATO headquarters. It is very important for me that we have to talk about dynamic and meaningful partnership and integration issues. Allow me to take this opportunity to express Georgia's sincere gratitude to NATO for its firm and consistent support of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Georgia is a loyal and compatible partner of the Alliance. My first visit to Brussels as the new Prime Minister of Georgia is a clear confirmation that this direction is very important for us. NATO played an important role in strengthening Georgia's defense capability, increasing our compatibility with the alliance. Nor have we relented in our efforts to embrace the values of the North Atlantic Alliance, implement a comprehensive reform agenda, and advance our integration process, regardless of internal and external security challenges. We are currently facing a difficult period in the context of European security. The rules-based international order faces significant challenges. The principle of whole, free and peaceful Europe is at stake. 20% of the territories of Georgia are occupied. At this difficult time, Allies and the international community must continue to demonstrate unprecedented unity and steadfast commitment to the rules-based world order and the principles of international law. Allow me once again to reiterate our firm commitment to the NATO-Georgia partnership and express our gratitude for your support," - the Prime Minister said.