Warsaw NATO Summit results
On July 8–9, leaders of NATO and partner countries met in Warsaw to discuss the emerging threats affecting global security and to demonstrate the capability of the Alliance to adapt and counter these threats. While NATO focused on strong defense and deterrence as its core task, the Alliance also made steps forward with regard to cooperation with the partner countries, Georgia among them being one the most committed and interoperable aspirant country.
Georgia has made tremendous efforts to meet the required criteria for membership in NATO and truly has been a role model in the region for democratic institution-building and reforms for more than a decade. Georgia’s contributions to NATO-led operations have been continuous and uninterrupted, demonstrating Georgia’s commitment and capability to contribute to Euro-Atlantic security.
Georgia’s NATO membership aspiration enjoys full support of the major political parties in Georgia. On July 8, amid opening of the NATO summit in Warsaw, Georgian political parties addressed NATO with a joint declaration supporting Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and signed by Prime Minister of Georgia, the President, the Parliament Speaker and major political groups, including opposition. The declaration once again demonstrated the unity of the political forces over Georgia’s foreign policy direction and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
NATO open door policy remained high on the Summit agenda:
“This summit reaffirms that NATO’s door is open, we are on path to increase the number of members [as Montenegro joins the Alliance]… The fundamental principle does not change: every country has the right to determine its own path, its own defensive alliances. This refers to Georgia, Ukraine and all other countries,” highlighted NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in his speech.
Leaders of NATO agreed on additional practical cooperation with Georgia to intensify efforts, including support to Georgia’s crisis management capabilities, training and exercises, and improvements in strategic communications. In addition, security in the Black Sea region will be one of the main focuses of the Alliance:
“… We’re going to do more to help partners from North Africa to the Middle East to Georgia strengthen their own defense capacity,” noted U.S. President Barak Obama at the press-conference.
Warsaw Summit was also marked with the first ever meeting of NATO-Georgia Commission held on the level of the Foreign Ministers at the Summit. Allied ministers recognized the unique scope and depth of Georgia’s relationship with the Alliance and announced the strengthening of political and practical cooperation with Georgia. Allied Ministers also welcomed Georgia’s engagement in strategic discussion and increasing role in support of Black Sea security.
NATO members praised the significant progress Georgia has made in implementing the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package (SNGP) launched by NATO at the Wales Summit. Allies agreed to continue to contribute to implementation of the SNGP through supporting Georgia’s security reform efforts, including in areas such as cyber defense, aviation and logistics, as well as joint exercises.
“We have also decided on new steps to intensify our cooperation, to help strengthen Georgia’s defence capabilities, interoperability and resilience capabilities. These initiatives include increased support for Georgia’s Training and Education, including through a possible trust fund project, and Strategic Communications. Allies will provide support to the development of Georgia’s air defence and air surveillance. Allies bilaterally are implementing programmes to enhance Georgia’s self-defence and resilience. We will also deepen our focus on security in the Black Sea region,” reiterates NATO-Georgia Commission joint statement.
Both the existing and new initiatives aim to strengthen Georgia’s defense, deterrence and interoperability capabilities with the Alliance and are helping Georgia, an aspirant country, progress in its preparations towards membership. “NATO member states expressed their readiness to support Georgia in all areas of cooperation to enhance its security and its partnership with the Alliance in the region” noted Foreign Affairs Minister of Georgia, Mikheil Janelidze.
North Atlantic Council will pay a visit to Georgia this autumn, which will once again demonstrate NATO’s political and practical support to Georgia.
See full text of NATO-Georgia Commission Statement
See photo gallery of bilateral meetings