WEBVTT 00:09.140 --> 00:10.140 Okay . 00:14.040 --> 00:16.151 Good morning , ladies and gentlemen . 00:16.240 --> 00:18.930 We will now have statements from the 00:18.930 --> 00:20.708 Secretary General and the prime 00:20.708 --> 00:22.708 Minister on . Then we will probably 00:22.708 --> 00:24.597 have time for just one question . 00:24.597 --> 00:26.486 Unfortunately , Secretary General 00:26.486 --> 00:29.470 promised Correa there , Yogi , it's a 00:29.470 --> 00:31.581 great pleasure to welcome you here to 00:31.581 --> 00:33.660 the NATO headquarters . And I really 00:34.040 --> 00:36.360 appreciate the strong and close 00:36.370 --> 00:39.770 partnership between Georgia and NATO 00:40.240 --> 00:44.170 on , uh , it is also a pleasure to 00:44.170 --> 00:47.940 welcome the foreign minister to 00:47.950 --> 00:50.670 NATO headquarters because I think that 00:50.680 --> 00:54.450 reflects the political importance off 00:54.460 --> 00:57.660 our partnership . Georgia is one of 00:57.660 --> 01:00.190 NATO's most important partners . You 01:00.190 --> 01:02.320 contribute to our shared security in 01:02.620 --> 01:05.650 many different ways , including with 01:05.660 --> 01:08.930 troops in NATO's training mission in 01:08.940 --> 01:12.860 Afghanistan . We can 01:12.870 --> 01:16.030 all be proud of what we do together 01:16.220 --> 01:18.830 on Do you can be proud off your 01:18.830 --> 01:22.750 contributions to our shared security 01:22.750 --> 01:25.450 and contributions to NATO missions and 01:25.460 --> 01:28.650 operations . During our meeting today , 01:28.660 --> 01:31.230 we also discussed the close cooperation 01:31.240 --> 01:35.210 between Georgia , our NATO on the 01:35.220 --> 01:38.120 Black Sea security . Earlier this year , 01:38.130 --> 01:39.908 allies agreed to strengthen our 01:39.908 --> 01:41.800 partnership even further . This 01:41.800 --> 01:44.600 includes sharing Mawr air traffic radar 01:44.610 --> 01:47.120 data , working jointly to address 01:47.130 --> 01:50.460 hybrid threats as well as doing joint 01:50.470 --> 01:53.570 exercises in the Black Sea region 01:54.340 --> 01:56.930 NATO supports Georgia's territorial 01:56.930 --> 01:59.660 integrity and sovereignty within its 01:59.670 --> 02:02.460 internationally recognized borders . We 02:02.460 --> 02:04.571 call on Russia to end its recognition 02:04.571 --> 02:07.400 of the region's off up casa on south to 02:07.400 --> 02:11.150 Ceta on to withdraw its forces . We 02:11.150 --> 02:13.780 welcome the progress Georgia is making 02:13.790 --> 02:16.650 on reforms . Your country has already 02:16.650 --> 02:18.817 made good progress in modernizing your 02:18.820 --> 02:21.260 own forces and it's strengthening your 02:21.260 --> 02:24.230 democracy on . I encourage you to 02:24.230 --> 02:27.340 continue making full use off all the 02:27.340 --> 02:30.270 opportunities for coming closer to NATO . 02:30.840 --> 02:33.850 I'm to prepare for membership . We 02:33.850 --> 02:36.750 count on Georgia to ensure next month's 02:36.760 --> 02:38.950 elections meet the highest 02:38.960 --> 02:41.000 international standards . This is 02:41.000 --> 02:44.680 important for Georgia on for NATO . So , 02:44.680 --> 02:46.910 Prime Minister , thank you for coming 02:46.910 --> 02:49.780 to NATO . Thank you for meeting me at 02:49.780 --> 02:52.002 the NATO headquarters today on for your 02:52.002 --> 02:53.980 strong personal commitment to our 02:53.990 --> 02:56.610 alliance . NATO's partnership with the 02:56.610 --> 02:58.900 Georgia makes us all safer and more 02:58.910 --> 03:01.077 secure . So once again , welcome . And 03:01.077 --> 03:03.354 it's a great pleasure to have you here , 03:03.354 --> 03:05.521 Miss Secretary . First of all , let me 03:05.521 --> 03:08.900 thank you for hosting us today and very 03:08.900 --> 03:11.122 productive meeting and personally , for 03:11.122 --> 03:12.733 me , it was very substantial 03:12.733 --> 03:14.956 conversation during our very productive 03:14.956 --> 03:17.240 meeting with the Secretary General . A 03:17.240 --> 03:19.650 number off issues has bean discussed , 03:19.660 --> 03:21.730 including the NATO Georgia , dynamic 03:21.740 --> 03:24.340 bilateral cooperation , multiple high 03:24.340 --> 03:26.507 level visits and successful completion 03:26.507 --> 03:30.360 of NATO Georgia exercise in 2011 . 03:30.740 --> 03:32.796 NATO Georgia Commission meetings and 03:32.796 --> 03:35.190 substantial NATO Georgia package have 03:35.190 --> 03:37.570 been identified as an important 03:37.600 --> 03:40.210 instruments in advancing NATO Georgia 03:40.210 --> 03:42.680 cooperation . It is very important for 03:42.680 --> 03:44.970 us to keep the political dimension off 03:44.980 --> 03:47.400 S and G p in orderto support Georgia's 03:47.400 --> 03:50.690 preparation for full membership . We 03:50.690 --> 03:52.912 have underlined Georgia's commitment to 03:52.912 --> 03:54.857 continue participation in resolute 03:54.857 --> 03:57.210 support mission . We have underlined 03:57.330 --> 03:59.090 the importance off development 03:59.100 --> 04:01.470 practical mechanism to enhancing black 04:01.470 --> 04:04.570 sea security and black sea security 04:04.860 --> 04:08.250 becomes more and more important in our 04:08.250 --> 04:10.590 cooperation . We have this discussed 04:10.590 --> 04:13.340 also Giorgis rule in the narrow South 04:13.340 --> 04:15.930 Caucasus parodic and highlighted the 04:15.930 --> 04:18.490 importance to our rule beyond in 04:18.490 --> 04:21.470 divider black Sea region . We once 04:21.470 --> 04:23.710 again underlined the importance off 04:23.720 --> 04:26.260 open door policy maintained by NATO . 04:28.040 --> 04:30.262 We have discussed situation in occupied 04:30.262 --> 04:32.470 territories off Georgia , Abkhazia and 04:32.470 --> 04:34.810 Skin Valley region and I would like toa 04:34.820 --> 04:36.860 express our gratitude toe and 04:36.860 --> 04:39.082 thankfulness food for Secretary General 04:39.082 --> 04:41.027 for your support , the territorial 04:41.027 --> 04:43.249 integrity and sovereignity off George . 04:43.540 --> 04:45.596 We also discussed discussed George's 04:45.596 --> 04:47.340 progress in its Euro Atlantic 04:47.340 --> 04:49.950 integration pass and countries 04:49.960 --> 04:52.470 democratic reforms once again , I would 04:52.470 --> 04:54.680 like to thank you , Secretary General 04:54.690 --> 04:57.680 Toe hosting us and in a very , very 04:57.690 --> 04:59.801 important and productive conversation 05:00.640 --> 05:02.751 way have time for one question . Will 05:02.751 --> 05:04.820 take immediate TV . Uh , Georgian TV 05:04.820 --> 05:07.153 medicated mankind . Have a good morning , 05:07.153 --> 05:09.376 Mr Prime Minister . Welcome to Brussels 05:09.376 --> 05:11.487 and NATO . And Mr Secretary General , 05:11.487 --> 05:13.800 I'm very happy to see you here again . 05:13.810 --> 05:16.060 Because of the pandemic , we have no 05:16.060 --> 05:18.820 chance to come here . How would you 05:18.820 --> 05:22.000 evaluate the progress made by Georgia 05:22.000 --> 05:25.580 on its past ? Uh , to future membership 05:25.590 --> 05:28.270 off . And also , I want to ask you what 05:28.280 --> 05:30.224 possibilities do you see on NATO's 05:30.224 --> 05:32.830 eastern flank to engage more ? And you 05:32.830 --> 05:35.210 mentioned Black Sea region From your 05:35.210 --> 05:37.840 perspective . What role can Georgia 05:37.840 --> 05:40.390 play ? Can you tell us more ? We always 05:40.390 --> 05:42.501 emphasize on this issue , but we want 05:42.501 --> 05:44.390 to hear from you as much as it is 05:44.390 --> 05:46.612 possible . And Mr Prime Minister , what 05:46.612 --> 05:48.830 message have you passed ? Just passed 05:48.840 --> 05:51.830 to NATO . Thank you . Thank you so much . 05:51.830 --> 05:54.970 Let me start by commanding Georgia for 05:54.970 --> 05:57.400 the progress Georgia has made over 05:57.410 --> 06:00.060 several years on implementing reforms 06:00.440 --> 06:02.760 to strengthen their democratic 06:02.760 --> 06:06.200 institutions . Thio to strengthen the 06:06.200 --> 06:08.220 democratic oversight over 06:09.280 --> 06:12.060 intelligence security services , 06:12.300 --> 06:15.440 uh , strengthen democratic control over 06:15.440 --> 06:17.700 the armed forces on the implement 06:17.700 --> 06:21.020 reforms in many other areas . I have in 06:21.020 --> 06:23.187 particular underline the importance of 06:23.187 --> 06:25.409 continuing reforming the judiciary , on 06:25.409 --> 06:27.860 also making sure full democratic 06:27.860 --> 06:29.950 oversight of the security services 06:30.340 --> 06:34.060 Georgia has made and is making 06:34.300 --> 06:37.060 progress on all these areas . Onda We 06:37.120 --> 06:40.750 welcome and encourage further focus on 06:40.760 --> 06:43.000 a reform . And we also discussed that 06:43.010 --> 06:46.070 during our meeting . And the good thing 06:46.070 --> 06:49.640 is that we see that Georgia and NATO 06:49.640 --> 06:51.780 are now working more closely together 06:51.780 --> 06:53.970 than we've done every before . As we 06:53.970 --> 06:55.970 have stated , there is more NATO in 06:55.970 --> 06:58.192 Georgia but also um or Georgia and NATO 06:58.192 --> 07:00.248 than we have seen before and step by 07:00.248 --> 07:02.960 step we are doing mawr together . 07:02.970 --> 07:06.310 Recently , we have focused on the Black 07:06.310 --> 07:10.220 Sea region , uh , maritime capabilities , 07:10.220 --> 07:12.410 working together with our maritime 07:12.410 --> 07:15.890 command in NATO in the United 07:15.900 --> 07:19.610 Kingdom on , uh , some support for the 07:19.770 --> 07:23.440 Coast Guard port Visits by NATO ships 07:23.620 --> 07:25.990 on were also recognized during our 07:25.990 --> 07:28.100 conversation today . The strategic 07:28.100 --> 07:31.370 importance off the Black Sea region for 07:31.370 --> 07:34.700 Georgia , for NATO allies . Now , 07:34.700 --> 07:36.922 therefore , I welcome everything we can 07:36.922 --> 07:40.440 do together . In that vein , we 07:40.440 --> 07:43.410 are now looking into whether we can add 07:43.420 --> 07:47.050 mawr 11th to our cooperation 07:47.180 --> 07:50.850 on that includes air traffic data . 07:51.240 --> 07:53.462 Whether we can improve the way we share 07:53.462 --> 07:55.820 information about the radar picture air 07:55.820 --> 07:58.150 traffic again good for Georgia . Good 07:58.150 --> 08:01.390 for NATO allies in the region , which 08:01.400 --> 08:03.710 where we have seen a substantial 08:04.070 --> 08:06.960 Russian build up over the last years . 08:07.340 --> 08:09.562 We're also working closely on how to do 08:09.562 --> 08:11.673 more together for this hybrid threats 08:12.140 --> 08:15.130 on , uh , we are holding exercises 08:15.140 --> 08:17.430 together in the Black Sea region , such 08:17.430 --> 08:20.110 as there is a recent exercise , uh , 08:20.120 --> 08:23.120 noble partner on As the prime minister 08:23.120 --> 08:25.342 mentioned , we're now working on how to 08:25.342 --> 08:28.160 refresh the substantial NATO Georgia 08:28.170 --> 08:31.140 package . Eso The thing is that step by 08:31.140 --> 08:34.570 step , we doom or together on guard ? 08:34.580 --> 08:38.490 Not least we are extremely grateful for 08:38.500 --> 08:40.890 Georgia's strong commitment to NATO's 08:40.890 --> 08:42.779 training mission in Afghanistan . 08:42.940 --> 08:45.340 Georgia has for many years bean one of 08:45.340 --> 08:48.980 the country's at the top level off 08:48.990 --> 08:51.880 contributions to that mission on We 08:51.880 --> 08:54.980 strongly believe that we have . It is 08:54.980 --> 08:57.440 important that we already thio stay 08:57.440 --> 08:59.690 committed to Afghanistan because that's 08:59.690 --> 09:01.801 the best way we can support the peace 09:01.801 --> 09:03.857 efforts . So again , we are grateful 09:03.857 --> 09:06.134 for the close cooperation with Georgia . 09:06.134 --> 09:08.410 We commend them for the progress you 09:08.410 --> 09:11.130 are making on then we look forward to 09:11.310 --> 09:13.477 further strengthen our partnership are 09:13.477 --> 09:15.890 moving towards full Euro Atlantic 09:15.890 --> 09:19.810 integration . We agreed that there for 09:19.820 --> 09:21.598 last year's we had very dynamic 09:21.598 --> 09:24.220 cooperation unpractical level I mean 09:24.230 --> 09:28.200 the exercises and 2019 waas 09:28.210 --> 09:31.700 excellent year for us in this , uh 09:31.710 --> 09:35.500 regard . At the same time , we , uh , 09:35.510 --> 09:37.732 fixed our readiness to continue reforms 09:37.732 --> 09:40.410 in different directions and we fix that . 09:40.420 --> 09:43.630 It's very important for development off 09:43.640 --> 09:45.870 country and it's very important for 09:45.870 --> 09:48.037 different the cooperation between NATO 09:48.037 --> 09:50.120 and George , the most important part 09:50.120 --> 09:52.790 for us . Waas , uh , to figure out the 09:52.790 --> 09:54.957 function off Georgia , the new role of 09:54.957 --> 09:57.940 Georgia on flexi security . We see 09:57.940 --> 10:00.090 Black Sea security at the wind off 10:00.100 --> 10:02.211 opportunity for Georgia for deepening 10:02.211 --> 10:04.480 the cooperation with NATO . Of course , 10:04.630 --> 10:06.580 at the same time , very important 10:06.810 --> 10:09.420 elections are coming and we fix our 10:09.420 --> 10:11.587 commitment that the government will do 10:11.587 --> 10:15.330 everything for free few elections and 10:15.340 --> 10:17.500 it will be the next step forward for 10:17.500 --> 10:19.778 consolidating democracy in the country . 10:19.778 --> 10:22.510 And it will be the next step forward 10:22.520 --> 10:24.870 for deepening the cooperation with NATO 10:25.140 --> 10:28.550 on the political damage . That's all we 10:28.550 --> 10:29.970 have time for . Thank you very much .