This visit is an opportunity to deepen and strengthen our cooperation with Georgia even further and to ensure that the Black Sea remains a strong source of stability and security for all the region, – NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller said in her opening remarks at the NATO-Georgia Commission in Batumi.

“Our visit is a clear demonstration of NATO’s ongoing commitment to Georgia. It is also an occasion to celebrate five years of the Substantial NATO-Georgia package – the cornerstone of our support to the reform of Georgia’s security and defense sectors, and to Georgia’s preparations for NATO membership” – Rose Gottemoeller said.

As Rose Gottemoeller noted Georgia is one of NATO’s closest operational partners.

“We deeply appreciate the contributions Georgia makes to Euro-Atlantic security. Last year, NATO Leaders reconfirmed their 2008 Bucharest Summit decision that Georgia will become a member of NATO. We continue to call on Russia to withdraw its troops from Georgia’s occupied regions. And to respect Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, within its internationally-recognized borders. This visit is an opportunity to deepen and strengthen our cooperation with Georgia even further. And to ensure that the Black Sea remains a strong source of stability and security for all the region”, – NATO Deputy Secretary General said.