Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels earlier today, where he said that ‘Georgia has all practical tools’ for the membership of the alliance and that concrete decisions are required for the country’s NATO integration. 

He stated that NATO membership, which is supported by the vast majority of the population, ‘is a priority issue of Georgia's foreign and security policy.’ 

It was emphasized during the meeting that all states have the sovereign right to choose their own foreign policy course and the process of Georgia's integration into NATO is based on this principle.

NATO-Georgia practical cooperation on Black Sea security was discussed. 

Garibashvili stressed the importance of stability in the Black Sea region in ensuring common Euro-Atlantic security.

Stoltenberg reaffirmed NATO’s continued strong political and practical support to its partners, and reiterated Allies’ firm support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Secretary General underlined that Georgia is one of NATO’s closest partners and thanked Georgia for contributing to NATO’s efforts in Afghanistan over the years.

Stoltenberg addressed the security situation in the region, including Russia’s military build-up in and around Ukraine and its destabilizing activity in the Black Sea region. 

He emphasized that "any future Russian aggression would come at a high price and have serious political and economic consequences for Russia".

The two leaders also addressed Georgia’s domestic reforms and implementation of the Annual National Programme. 

The Secretary General underlined, "it is vital that the work on judiciary reform, media freedom and accountability of the security sector continues".