Rose Gottemoeller: We call on Russia to withdraw its troops from Georgia’s occupied regions

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.