NATO Summit really acknowledged how far Georgia has gone in terms of implementing reforms and getting closer to NATO. Such a statement made today NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai after the meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia David Zalkaliani.

“This was the first official meeting during my last visit to Georgia as NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative. I want to note that the NATO Summit really acknowledged how far Georgia has gone in terms of implementing reforms and getting closer to NATO.

If we compare the previous summit declaration with the current one, it is clear that the document is clearer, more detail-oriented, recognizing the existing challenges, including the difficulties in the occupied territories of Georgia. We set an agenda for deeper cooperation and also discussed ways for Georgia and the Black Sea region to move forward in this direction, with NATO involvement and support.

For 10 years of my work in this capacity, if we compare the situation that existed when I started working on this position, it is obvious that Georgia has significantly advanced on the path of NATO integration and I can cite many examples. I will continue to support Georgia and our cooperation even after I am appointed to my new position, and I will happily greet Georgia when it goes through the “open door’ path”, - said James Appathurai.