Joining NATO means strengthening the country’s defence capabilities and stability – this is a prerequisite for creating a democratic and stable environment.
History of NATO-Georgia cooperation
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the former Soviet republics came face-to-face with big challenges – conflicts, economic stagnation, corruption and dysfunctional state institutions – these are just a small list of problems that plagued the post-Soviet space in the 1990s, and fragile security being the most overriding problem for a small country like Georgia.
Some of the former Soviet republics remained in Moscow’s orbit, while others chose their vector of development towards the west. Of those republics, only Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia became part of the western world. Therefore, the example of the Baltic statesis promising for the countries undergoing democratic transition.
NATO Membership Tools
Georgia continues to successfully implement existing NATO-Georgia cooperation mechanisms and formats, which contributes to strengthening Georgia’s defence capabilities, to developing closer security cooperation with NATO member states and to increasing interoperability with NATO. NATO-Georgia cooperation mechanisms are as follows:
Important Dates
The NATO summit held in Vilnius on 11-12 July of this year had historical significance. Finland attended the meetings of the North Atlantic Council for the first time as a member, while Sweden, as a future member, took part in the Summit as an invited country. Another enlargement of NATO underlines that the Alliance remains committed to the Open Door Policy and that no external power can influence this process. Besides, the members of the Alliance agreed at the summit that Ukraine will receive an invitation to join the Alliance without the Membership Action Plan (MAP) when the country meets all the conditions necessary for the accession. To strengthen support for Ukraine, the Vilnius Summit took important political and practical decisions, including on the establishment of the NATO-Ukraine Council.
Against the background of the first full-scale war in Europe after the Second World War, the heads of state of the member states made important strategic decisions on strengthening and adapting the Alliance: the Allies approved new regional defence plans to contain conventional and hybrid threats; NATO member states agreed on increasing investments in the field of defence; The Alliance expanded the area of cooperation with partners.
The Georgian delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs took part in the summit. The support expressed to Georgia, both in political and practical terms, in the final document of the Summit is of paramount importance. NATO member states confirm their commitment to continue working towards the implementation of the decision taken at the Bucharest summit that Georgia will become a member of NATO.
Georgia welcomes NATO’s firm and unequivocal position on the inadmissibility of any attempt to restrict the right of sovereign nations to decide their own foreign and security policy.
Taking into account the complicated and difficult security environment, Georgia places particularly high value on the Alliance’s unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, as well as its call on the Russian Federation to withdraw the forces it has stationed in Georgia and to reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of the Georgian regions.
In the final Communiqué of the Summit, NATO again confirms the significant contribution Georgia has made to global security. Furthermore, the Summit made important decisions in terms of strengthening Georgia’s defence capabilities and interoperability with NATO. Georgia’s participation in the Vilnius Summit is yet another confirmation of the strategic importance of NATO-Georgia cooperation and the irreversibility of Georgia’s integration process.
Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the Vilnius Summit– https://mfa.gov.ge/news/553327-saqartvelos-sagareo-saqmeta-saministros-gantskhadeba-nato-s-vilniusis-samittan-dakavshirebit
Vilnius Summit Communiqué – https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_217320.htm
On 28-30 June 2022, the Summit of NATO Heads of State in Madrid approved a set of tailored support measures for Georgia, which includes concrete measures to further enhance the country’s defence capabilities and to increase NATO’s effective engagement in this process.
In December 2020, NATO Foreign Ministers approved the updated Substantial NATO-Georgia Package (SNGP), which contains important elements to further strengthen Georgia’s defence capabilities.
On 3-4 October 2019, the North Atlantic Council led by the NATO Deputy Secretary–General, Rose Gottemoeller paid the fifth visit to Batumi, Georgia. The NATO-Georgia Commission held within the framework of the visit adopted a joint statement giving a high assessment to the ongoing democratic reforms in Georgia. The Allies took a decision to update the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package (SNGP).The members of the NATO delegation visited the Batumi port to explore the vessels “Dioskuria” and “Ochamchire” and held a meeting with representatives of the Georgian Coast Guard Boarding Teams, which are involved in NATO Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) process.
On 3-4 April 2019, at the NATO Foreign Ministerial Meeting in Washington, the Allies adopted a package of measures aimed at increasing NATO’s situational awareness in the Black Sea region and increasing support for Georgia and Ukraine. Within the framework of the package, cooperation has been strengthened in such areas as coast guard training, port visits, conducting exercises and information sharing. It should be noted that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, David Zalkaliani, participated in the NATO Ministerial side-event “NATO Engages: The Alliance at 70 Years” co-organized by the U.S. Atlantic Council, the German Marshall Fund of the United States and the Munich International Conference.
On 28 March 2019, the NATO-Georgia Commission met at the NATO headquarters to focus on issues relating to Black Sea security. The Georgian Foreign Minister, David Zalkaliani addressed the Allies.
On 27-28 March 2019, the NATO Military Committee paid its third visit to Georgia. Within the framework of the visit, the members of the NATO Military Committee visited the Joint Training and Evaluation Center (JTEC) and attended the joint NATO-Georgia exercise.
On March 24-25, 2019, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Georgia and held meetings with representatives of the executive and legislative authorities of Georgia. Jens Stoltenberg also visited the NATO Joint Training and Evaluation Center (JTEC) and attended the NATO-Georgia exercise organized by the Center.
On 18-29 March 2019, the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Center (JTEC) hosted the second NATO-Georgia exercise. “NATO-Georgia Exercise 2019” was the first joint multinational brigade headquarters staff exercise led by the Georgian Defense Forces. About 350 military and civilian personnel from 21 NATO members and 3 partner countries participated in it.
On 4 December 2018, within the framework of the NATO Foreign Ministerial Meeting at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, the North Atlantic Council held a meeting with Georgia and Ukraine at the level of foreign ministers to discuss issues relating to Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration and to regional and Black Sea security. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia also participated in the meeting of the Resolute Support Mission held on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting.
On 11-12 July 2018, within the framework of the NATO Summit in Brussels, Georgia participated in the Allies’ meeting with Georgia and Ukraine, at the level of heads of state. It was the first high-level meeting on the sidelines of the NATO Summit, which dealt with issues relating to Georgia. During the meeting, the Georgian side had the opportunity to discuss, among other issues, the dynamics of the country’s integration into NATO and concrete steps to be taken on the membership path. Particularly noteworthy is the Declaration adopted at the Summit, within the framework of the NATO-Georgia Commission, whereby the Allies once again confirm the decision taken at the Bucharest Summit that Georgia will become a member of NATO and recognize that Georgia has all tools to join the Alliance.
On 26-29 May 2017, Georgia for the first time hosted the spring session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
On 2-3 March 2017, the NATO Military Committee paid an official visit to Georgia. Within the framework of the visit, the delegation of the NATO military committee arrived at the occupation line.
On 7-8 September 2016, the North Atlantic Council paid its fourth visit to Georgia. Within the framework of the visit, the North Atlantic Council called on the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Center.
On 8-9 July 2016, the NATO-Georgia Commission held its first meeting (at the level of foreign ministers) within the framework of the NATO Warsaw Summit. The meeting adopted a joint statement, which includes all aspects related to the process of Georgia’s integration into NATO. In the Summit Declaration, the Allies reaffirm NATO’s unwavering support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and call on Russia to reverse its decision to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states and withdraw its armed forces from Georgia.
On 2 December 2015, the NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting adopted a statement on NATO’s “Open Door” policy. The document for the first time confirms publicly that Georgia has all practical tools to prepare for NATO membership.
On 27 August 2015, within the framework of his visit to Georgia, the Secretary General of NATO, together with the President and Prime Minister of Georgia, participated in the opening of the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Center.
On 26-27 August 2015, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Georgia and held meetings with the representatives of the executive and legislative authorities of Georgia.
On 13-14 May 2015, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia participated in the Resolute Support Mission meeting held within the framework of the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Antalya, Turkey.
On 5 February 2015, the NATO-Georgia Commission held a meeting at the level of defence ministers and adopted a joint statement.
On 4-5 September 2014, at the NATO Summit in Wales, the Allies made a decision to develop Substantial NATO-Georgia Package, which aims to enhance Georgia’s defence capabilities in line with NATO standards, to increase its interoperability with NATO and help Georgia advance in its preparations for eventual NATO membership. Within the framework of the Summit, Georgia was invited to join Partnership Interoperability Initiative (PII) and Enhanced Opportunity Partners (EOP). In the Wales Summit Declaration, the Allies reaffirm that NATO and Georgia already have the necessary interaction mechanisms that will bring the country to its ultimate goal – membership of the Alliance. The Allies reaffirmed NATO’s firm and unwavering support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and policy of non-recognition of occupied regions, and call on Russia to withdraw their armed forces from Georgia and commit to non-use of force.
On 11-12 February 2014, NATO’s military committee headed by its chairman, General Knud Bartels paid its first visit to Georgia.
On 26-27 June 2013, the North Atlantic Council led by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen paid the third visit to Georgia. At the meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission held with the Prime Minister of Georgia, the Allies positively evaluated the ongoing democratic reforms in Georgia and once again confirmed their commitment to the decision made at the Bucharest Summit that Georgia will become a member of NATO.
On 7 December 2011, at the NATO Foreign Ministerial Meeting held at NATO HQ, the Allies adopted Communiqué where Georgia, along with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, was referred to as a NATO aspirant partner.
On 9-10 November 2011, The North Atlantic Council (NAC), led by the NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, paid a two-day visit to Georgia. The meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission (NGC) with the participation of 29 countries (28 member-states of NATO and Georgia) adopted a joint statement, wherein they welcomed concrete achievements in Georgia’s reform process, reaffirmed their commitment to the decision of the Bucharest Summit and their strong support for territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia.
On 16 May 2011, the photo exhibition of Georgia’s contribution to ISAF opened in NATO headquarters in Brussels. 73 photos describing activities of the Georgian troops in Afghanistan and their relations with the local population were presented on the exhibition. The exhibition was organized with the support of the Lithuanian delegation to NATO.
On 15 April 2011, NATO-Georgia Commission (NGC) meeting was held in the margins of the NATO Berlin Ministerial. For the first time in the history of NATO-Georgia relations, the Joint Statement was issued at the meeting.
On 7 April 2011, for the first time in this capacity, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative to Caucasus and Central Asia, James Appathurai paid an official visit to Georgia.
On 20-21 May 2012, NATO Summit was held in Chicago. In the Summit Declaration the Allies once again reaffirmed the Bucharest Summit decision that “Georgia will become a member of NATO” and noted that NATO-Georgia Commission (NGC) and Georgia’s Annual National Programme (ANP) have a central role in supervising the process set in hand at the Bucharest Summit. In the Declaration, Georgia was mentioned as a NATO “aspirant country” with the three Balkan states (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina). Furthermore, NATO Member states reiterated their continued support to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia. The Allies underscored Georgia’s commitment not to use force and called on Russia to reciprocate, as well as to reverse its recognition of the South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions of Georgia as independent states.
On 19-20 November 2010, the NATO Summit was held in Lisbon, Portugal. NATO’s new Strategic Concept was adopted. In the Lisbon Summit Declaration, the Allies reaffirmed the 2008 Bucharest Summit decision and reiterated that “Georgia will become a member of NATO”.
NATO members also reiterated their support to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. The meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the ISAF Contributor Nations was also held during the summit.
On 16 November 2010, NATO Parliamentary Assembly adopted a Resolution on the Situation in Georgia. The Resolution assesses the presence of Russian troops in the territory of Georgia as a violation of the EU-brokered Ceasefire Agreement of 12 August 2008 and an occupation of the territory of the sovereign country. NATO parliamentarians urge Russia “to reverse the results of ethnic cleansing” and allow the safe and dignified return of all internally displaced persons to their homes.
On 29 October 2010, the Chairman of the Military Committee of NATO, Admiral Giampaolo di Paola visited Georgia. He held meetings with the Speaker of the Parliament, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defence of Georgia, Deputy State Minister of Georgia on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Deputy Head of Security Council.
On 1 October 2010, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen visited Georgia. The Secretary General held the meetings with the President of Georgia, Prime-Minister, Speaker of the Parliament, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defence of Georgia. During the visit, the Secretary General officially inaugurated NATO Liaison Office in Tbilisi.
On 25 March 2010, a meeting between the President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen was held at NATO HQ. The President and the Secretary General discussed NATO-Georgian cooperation and development of Euro-Atlantic integration process.
On 12 March 2010, NATO-Georgia Commission meeting at the Ambassadors level was held at the NATO HQ. The Georgian side presented the Annual National Programme 2010 and the State Strategy on Occupied Territories to the Alliance. Particular appreciation was expressed for Georgia’s considerable contribution in ISAF operation.
On 18 November 2009, NATO-Georgia Commission Meeting was held at the NATO HQ. Progress achieved by Georgia in implementation of the Annual National Programme (ANP) and future plans of NATO-Georgia relations were discussed at the meeting.
On 17 June 2009, NATO-Georgia Commission meeting at Political Committee level was held at the NATO HQ.
On 24-26 May 2009, Special Representative of NATO Secretary General for the Caucasus and Central Asia Robert Simmons visited Georgia. During the visit the first Georgian Annual National Programme was officially handed over to the NATO side.
On 6 May 2009, two NATO-Georgia Commission Meetings – at Ambassadors and at the Chiefs of Defence level – were held at NATO HQ, Brussels. The issues concerning NATO-Georgia cooperation in the follow-up of NATO Strasbourg-Kehl Summit were discussed at the meeting at Ambassadors level. The main issues discussed at the meeting at the Chiefs of Defence level were ongoing reforms in the Armed Forces of Georgia and the activities carried out for the purpose of NATO integration.
On 16 April 2009 NATO-Georgia Commission Meeting at Political Committee level was held in NATO Headquarters, Brussels, where Georgian side presented a draft Annual National Program for the year 2009.
By decision made on April 3-4, 2009 NATO anniversary summit was held in Strasbourg and Kehl, France-Germany, Alliance member countries again expressed their adherence to the obligations undertaken at the Bucharest Summit. This, in itself, points to the strengthening of the position already voiced by the Alliance regarding the irreversibility of Georgia’s NATO integration process.
On 4 February 2009, NATO-Georgia Commission meeting was held in NATO Headquarters, Brussels dedicated to Georgia’s Individual Partnership Action plan (IPAP) performance assessment and discussion of future plans for NATO-Georgia cooperation.
On 3 December 2008, meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of NATO-Georgia Commission was held in NATO Headquarters, Brussels. NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs made decision to further activate cooperation with Georgia through NATO-Georgia Commission. Annual National Program is being developed and discussed within the NATO-Georgia Commission.
On 18 November 2008, a plenary meeting of NATO Parliamentary Assembly was held in Valencia, Spain. A document about Russian-Georgian conflict was adopted there. The document expressed concern on Russian activities.
On 15-16 September 2008, framework document establishing NATO-Georgia Commission was signed during the official visit of North Atlantic Council and NATO Secretary General to Georgia and the first meeting of the Commission was held.
On 21-22 August 2008, NATO Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia Robert Simmons visited Georgia.
On 21-22 August 2008, a group of 15 representatives of NATO CEP (Civil Emergency Planning) committee visited Georgia to assess on site the damage caused by hostilities of Russian Federation.
On 19 August 2008, extraordinary meeting of Foreign Ministers of member states was held in NATO Headquarters, Brussels to discuss latest events in Georgia.
On 12 August 2008, NGF +USA meeting with leaders of NATO member countries’ delegations was held in NATO Headquarters, Brussels to discuss latest events in Georgia.
On 12 August 2008, NATO-Georgia meeting was held in NATO Headquarters, Brussels in the 26+1 format on the issues of Russian military aggression against Georgia.
On 20 June 2008, a meeting between President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer was held in NATO Headquarters, Brussels.
On 24-25 April 2008, NATO-Georgia consultations on political issues were held in Tbilisi, within the framework of Intensified Dialogue.
On 3 April 2008, at the Bucharest Summit, the Alliance made a decision that Georgia will become a member of NATO, which means an openly-made commitment by the Allies.
On 2 October 2007, high level political meeting was held in NATO Headquarters, Brussels in the 26+1 format within the Intensified Dialogue on the issues of conflict resolution.
On 14 December 2006 the first, start-up meeting in the format of Intensified Dialogue on Membership Issues was held at NATO HQ in Brussels to discuss a wide range of issues relating to Intensified Dialogue and also to agree the schedule for future meetings in the ID format.
On 21 September 2006 an informal meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the NATO member-states was held in New-York, which adopted a decision to launch the Intensified Dialogue with Georgia on NATO membership issues. Georgia’s accession to the Intensified Dialogue is a significant step in terms of transition from the format of partnership to that of candidate for membership. The Intensified Dialogue represents a mechanism of bilateral cooperation between the Alliance and Georgia, aiming largely at providing the basis for Georgia’s entry into the stage of MAP (Membership Action Plan).
On 26-29 September, 2005, the IPAP implementation interim assessment team arrived in Tbilisi for the unofficial assessment of IPAP. On 5 October 2005 consultations were held with representatives of the NATO International Agency.
On 14 February 2005, the agreement on the appointment of PfP liaison officer between Georgia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization came into force, whereby a liaison officer for the South Caucasus was assigned to Georgia.
On 29 October 2004, the North Atlantic Council (NAC) approved the Individual Partnership Action Plan of Georgia under the silence procedure and Georgia moved on to the so-called second stage of Euro-Atlantic integration.
In August 2004, Georgia’s Individual Partnership Action Plan was officially sent to NATO.
On 28-29 June 2004, at the NATO Summit held in Istanbul, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan joined officially the initiative for the Individual Partnership Action Plan.
On 7 April 2004, a high-level meeting in the 26+1 format between Georgia and NATO was held in Brussels, where President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia presented to NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer an introductory document of the Individual Partnership Action Plan of Georgia.
In December of 2003, a draft of the Individual Partnership Plan of Georgia was drawn up.
On 27 May 2003, by Decree №235 of the President of Georgia, the National Coordination Council for Euro-Atlantic Integration was set up with a view to enhancing efforts and coordinated action of the state authorities in the process of Georgia’s integration into NATO. The Council was chaired by the President of Georgia
On 28 December 2002, the National Security Council of Georgia adopted the State Programme on Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic Integration. The Programme consists of five major sections: 1) political and economic issues; 2) defence and military issues; 3) maintenance issues; 4) security issues; 5) legal issues.
On 21-22 November 2002, at the NATO Summit in Prague, Georgia made a declaration on its aspiration to NATO membership and expressed its desire to take part in the new programme “Individual Partnership Action Plan”.
By Resolution №1661 of the Parliament of Georgia (13 September 2002) and in compliance with Article 48 of the Constitution of Georgia, the Georgian executive authorities, along with respective parliamentary bodies, were instructed to launch an integration process into NATO, with a view to accelerating and effectively conducting Georgia’s integration into NATO and determining major directions of the country’s internal and foreign policy.
From 17 to 28 June 2002, large-scale multinational military training “Cooperative Best Effort- 2002” was held jointly by NATO and partner countries in Tbilisi, Georgia.
From 11 to 23 June 2001, large-scale multinational military training “Cooperative Partner-2001” was held jointly by NATO and partner countries in Poti, Georgia
In March of 2001, regular political consultations with the NATO International Agency became part of the practice, which is of great practical importance to Georgia. These consultations were generally held at the level of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from the Georgian side, and – Head of the Political Directorate- from the side of NATO.
High-level meetings were held regularly on the issues of arms control and disarmament within 26+1 format (26 member states of NATO + Georgia)
On 22 April 1998, a diplomatic mission of Georgia to NATO was opened and the Ambassador of Georgia presented his credentials to the NATO Secretary General
On 30 May 1997, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) was set up and Georgia became one of its founding members.
On 1 May 1997, the Parliament of Georgia ratified the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between the States Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty and the other states participating in the Partnership for Peace programme
In 1996 Georgia developed and submitted to NATO the first Individual Partnership Programme (IPP)
Since 1995 cooperation has been in progress in the field of education. Georgian experts undergo annual trainings in the NATO School in Oberammergau (Germany) and NATO Defence College in Rome (Italy)
On 18 July 1995, Georgia acceded to the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between the States Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty and the other states participating in the Partnership for Peace programme
On 23 March 1994, Georgia joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme
In 1992, Georgia became a member of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC)
Georgia in International Missions
Georgia, as an important contributor to Euro-Atlantic security, actively participates in various peacekeeping missions. By participating in peacekeeping missions, Georgia makes an important contribution to the fight against international terrorism and to ensuring global security. This is in the interests of Georgia as well, since international terrorism knows no borders and common efforts are needed to defeat it. Military personnel gains unique military experience, which contributes to the development of Georgia’s military capabilities. Over 18,000 Georgian servicemen have already undergone relevant training. This experience translates into the highly trained army, which is fully interoperable with NATO standards. This is one of the most important resources in the development of the country. Georgian soldiers perform their duties in an exemplary manner and represent Georgia with dignity in NATO member and partner states. With its status of a reliable partner, Georgia remains high on the international agenda, which secures NATO’s firm support to Georgia. Participation in peacekeeping missions is one of the main factors helping Georgia advance on its path to NATO.
