2015-08-27
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg officially opened the new joint NATO-Georgia Training and Evaluation Center in Krtsanisi. The joint initiative is another step in the increased cooperation between Georgia and NATO.
"The NATO Training and Evaluation Centre is the largest component of the Substantial Package of Measures, which was adopted during the Wales Summit, and is a clear demonstration of the progress Georgia has achieved," said Prime Minister Garibashvili in his speech at the opening ceremony.
Prime Minister Garibashvili stated that the new joint center is evidence of the continued successful cooperation between NATO and Georgia, and noted that the center will significantly contribute to enhancing the country's defense capabilities.
"The Center will help us to raise the professionalism of our armed forces. Opening the Center has another important meaning for Georgia - it is evidence of the increase in compatibility of the Georgian Armed Forces with NATO. Ensuring the compatibility of armed forces is one of the most important stages of integration and the Center will help us to successfully overcome this stage. We hope that this new tool of co-operation will enhance our relations. I would like to point out that the activities of the Training Center are be in any way directed against any of the neighboring countries; moreover, it will serve for regional security, stability and peace-building. With its content and features, the Center will promote international security," stated Prime Minister Garibashvili.
He also stated that through participating in NATO operations over the years, Georgia has proven its capability of being an important contributor to Euro-Atlantic security. The Prime Minister further noted that Georgia fully recognizes the threat of global terrorism and extremism, and therefore, founding the Center is another important contribution to regional and international security efforts.
"I would like to confirm that we will continue close consultations on regional security issues, and intensive dialogue with the NATO, the EU and our Western partners. I am sure that with the support of our partners and friends, Georgia will take its worthy place in the united, peaceful and free European family," said Prime Minister Garibashvili.
During the event, the Prime Minister highlighted the NATO Secretary General's support for Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration process, and thanked the Defense Ministry, as well as members of NATO, for their contributions to establish the new training center.
NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg also delivered remarks at the opening ceremony, discussing the importance of the joint center, highlighting that it will provide assistance to Georgia and help ensure that the country's Armed Forces are equipped with more modern and high combat capabilities in order to face the challenges of the 21st century.
"In terms of opening the joint Training and Evaluation Center, our cooperation will develop further. Georgia will become more interoperable with NATO and NATO will become more widely represented in Georgia. Our visibility will be higher in the country," stated NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg.
Prior to the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Garibashvili hosted an official lunch for visiting NATO Secretary General, and the two parties had an extended meeting to discuss bilateral relations and Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
At a joint press conference with the Prime Minister Garibashvili, the NATO Secretary General praised the reforms carried out in Georgia and the Georgian government's commitment to this path.
The Secretary General emphasized Georgia's contribution to international security, particularly noting Georgia's significant commitment in Afghanistan and praised the professionalism of the Georgian soldiers participating in NATO missions.
He also discussed growing bilateral cooperation between Georgia and NATO. Secretary General Stoltenberg also said that the joint training center will be a very important step, which will increase the combat effectiveness of Georgian Armed Forces and strengthen the cooperation between NATO and partner countries.
"The Substantial Package has brought tangible results. We have held the joint trainings. NATO allies are actively working on the level of defense ministers. We see more Georgia in NATO and more NATO in Georgia. All these efforts are moving Georgia closer to the NATO membership. Georgia has all the necessary tools to move forward on the road to membership and you use these tools effectively. Euro-Atlantic integration is not a simple way, it takes time and effort, and the government is committed to implementing real change in this direction. We are closely following your reforms, and I would like to underline your country's progress. NATO relies on Georgia and Georgia can rely on NATO", - said the NATO Secretary General. He also noted that NATO continues to support Georgia on the path of reforms.
The two parties also discussed Georgia's commitment to implementing key reforms and measures that were adopted during the Wales Summit, as well as Georgia's progress and preparations for the 2016 Warsaw Summit.
The Prime Minister further noted he had provided the NATO Secretary General with detailed information about the development on occupied territories and unilateral, pragmatic and constructive steps Georgia has made. He also repeatedly expressed his gratitude to the NATO Secretary General for supporting Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
During his two-day visit to Georgia, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg also met with several key government leaders, including the Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, President, and Speaker of the Parliament.