Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili held a meeting with James Appathurai, the NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia.
Irakli Garibashvili thanked James Appathurai for his effort in the process of Georgia's integration into NATO and his strong support of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The meeting underscored the importance of the NATO Military Committee's upcoming visit in September, also the role of joint NATO-Georgia drills in enhancing the compatibility of Georgia's Defense Forcers. According to the Prime Minister, notwithstanding the pandemic, it is necessary to maintain the positive dynamic of NATO-Georgia cooperation and integration.
The conversation also focused on the recent agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan achieved through the active facilitation of the Georgian Prime Minister and US engagement.
James Appathurai thanked Irakli Garibashvili for his successful mediation resulting in the release of 15 Armenian citizens and maps of mined territories handed over to the Azerbaijani side.
The meeting also discussed the decisions of the NATO Summit in Brussels. The Georgian Government appreciates the unequivocal messages of the Allies, as reflected in the summit's communique, the Head of Georgian Government emphasized, adding that the decisions of the Brussels Summit will set the stage for Georgia's advancement toward NATO membership.
The parties singled out the updated Substantial NATO-Georgia Package as a key tool in this process, one offering new opportunities. The Prime Minister thanked James Appathurai for his support in the development of said package.
The conversation paid special attention to the challenges and dire humanitarian situation in Georgia's occupied territories. Irakli Garibashvili emphasized the need of support from the international community for ensuring the immediate release of Zaza Gakheladze and all other illegally detained Georgian citizens. The parties also discussed the Georgian Government's effort toward peaceful conflict-resolution, underlining the need to achieve tangible results on important issues within the framework of the Geneva International Discussions.
The meeting also discussed the importance of Black Sea security and the role of NATO-Georgia cooperation in ensuring security on the Black Sea.
The NATO Secretary General's Special Representative thanked the Prime Minister for Georgia's active involvement in the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, reiterating the exceptional professionalism of Georgian troops. In line with NATO's decision to withdraw from Afghanistan, Georgia-in close coordination with its strategic partner, the US, and with NATO-has completed the withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan, the Head of Georgian Government added.
The meeting at the Administration of the Government was attended by Head of NATO Liaison Office in Georgia Rosaria Puglisi and Head of Georgia's Mission to NATO Victor Dolidze.
