I don’t have an exact answer when Georgia would become a NATO member, but it is clear that sooner or later it would happen, the country is one of the closest partners for the alliance. Such a statement made today James Appathurai, the NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges.

“The 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration supporting Georgia’s and Ukraine’s bids to join the alliance would remain unchanged. The 2023 Vilnius Summit would focus on several new directions.

As for Georgia, I can absolutely assure you that Georgia is at a very high level on NATO’s agenda each day. We have already decided to intensify the relationship with Georgia. The discussion is underway to soon realize the enhanced cooperation programme.

It is a fact that Georgia is one of the closest partners for NATO and in my opinion, this is the case when the alliance does not have such strong representation in any other countries outside NATO as it has in Georgia. We have a very active, daily relationship with the representative office of Georgia. We will further deepen this”, - said James Appathurai.