US Ambassador says the United States is Georgia's strongest supporter in NATO

The United States is Georgia's strongest supporter in NATO, US Ambassador to Georgia said in response to the journalist's question relating to some critical statements made at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly that the Georgian Government is not doing everything to get closer to NATO.

According to her, Obviously, the United States and other NATO allies want to see Georgia moving forward on its NATO path.

“The United States is Georgia's strongest supporter in NATO. And we work very closely with the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the whole Georgian Government to increase Georgia's capability and interoperability with NATO. This is something the United States has been doing in Georgia for many, many years. Obviously, there's more to be done. And Georgia itself keeps track of that in the annual national program that the Georgian Government prepares in consultation with NATO every year. So of course, there's more to be done. And the United States is always looking for ways to partner with the Georgia defense forces, the Ministry of Defense, to increase Georgia's capabilities and its interoperability with NATO. The exercises that Georgia does with NATO and the United States and other allies are an important part of that and through those exercises we all see where we can do more, to improve our ability to respond together, to protect Georgia's territorial integrity and security, to increase the ability of Georgia's defense forces, to defend Georgia's borders.

I think this is very important that there's an opportunity for Georgian leaders to be talking with NATO allies and leadership and looking for the ways that we can all help Georgia move forward on its NATO membership path. This requires work from the Georgia Government, and it requires continued support from the United States and other NATO allies, all of whom want to see Georgia moving forward on its NATO path, towards the secure future that Georgians want and deserve”, said the Ambassador.