We welcome the progress that the country has achieved in crisis management, cyber security, defense and secure communications, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a briefing together with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

As the Secretary General of NATO noted, Georgia is moving in the right direction towards prosperity, democracy and full membership in the Euro-Atlantic family.

"Congratulations on your appointment as the Prime Minister of Georgia and we look forward to working with you. Georgia is a country whose territorial integrity and sovereignty we support. NATO calls on Russia to protect the integrity of the territory of Georgia, and it is unacceptable for us that Russia occupies the territories of Georgia.

This year is already the second year that Russia has been carrying out aggressive actions in Ukraine, and this makes the situation very difficult, although Ukrainians are exceedingly fulfilling their expectations and are mistaken about the expectations they had for the country. New aid packages have been announced in the last couple of days, with billions of euros to help Ukraine with defense, artillery and F-16 equipment. NATO partners play an important role in the development of these packages, including Georgia, and thousands of Ukrainian refugees are sheltered in Georgia. Today we talked about the current situation in the region, which is relevant for Georgia. It is a significant risk in itself that Russia carries out these aggressive actions in the vicinity of Georgia, in Ukraine, and we call on the members of the alliance to secure the Black Sea for free movement.

Today at the meeting we will discuss the partnership between Georgia and NATO, how to develop it further. We welcome the progress the country has made in crisis management, cyber security, defense and secure communications. Also, after receiving the candidate status, we congratulate the country and call on it to implement reforms at a greater pace locally. We are very happy that Georgia is moving in the right direction in terms of prosperity, democracy and full membership in the Euro-Atlantic family. We in NATO are fully aware that we stand by your side and we welcome you once again to Brussels, to our headquarters," said Jens Stoltenberg.