National defense committee meets with Georgian national security advisor
The Riigikogu’s national defense committee met with secretary of Georgia’s national security council, David Rakviashvili, in Tallinn on Monday. The meeting focused on security issues, with an emphasis on Georgia’s potential NATO and European Union membership.
Committee chairman Hannes Hanso (SDE) said that Estonia had always supported Georgia’s integration with NATO. Though it might take Georgia longer than expected to move on from its current status of a NATO partner country to membership, it was moving in the right direction.
“The reforms that are being carried out contribute not only to achieving NATO member status, but to the development of the country as a whole. Continuing them is of key importance,” Hanso said.
Hanso also emphasised that it was important that Georgia continued its reforms, and considered the volume of defense investment when planning its defense spending.
Rakviashvili thanked Estonia for supporting Georgia in its bid for NATO membership, and said that the country would continue its contribution to increasing NATO’s military capabilities in the Black Sea region.
NATO made the decision to start accession negotiations with Georgia in 2008.
The meeting also discussed Georgia’s closer relationship with the European Union, relations with Turkey and Russia, and the activities of the United States under its new administration.
Committee members Oudekki Loone (Center), Marianne Mikko (SDE), Ants Laaneots (Reform), Johannes Kert (Reform), and Tiit Terik (Center) as well as Georgian ambassador to Estonia Tea Akhvledian also attended the meeting. On Tuesday Rakviashvili will meet with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu.
Editor: Dario Cavegn
