NATO secretary emphasizes regional cooperation, reform and teamwork in Caucasus

The S. Caucasus has great economic potential but that potential is blocked by unresolved conflicts, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in a video address on his personal Facebook page under the title "Three Valued Partners in the Caucasus" during his visit to Tbilisi on Thursday.

Stressing that the tensions in this region must be reduced, Rasmussen said the concrete steps must be taken to promote cooperation and re-conciliation.

Stressing that NATO is assisting Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan with defense and security sector reforms, Rasmussen encourages NATO’s partners “to keep up the momentum of reforms.”

Emphasizing that NATO and its partners in the region enjoy a strong framework of dialogue and cooperation, Rasmussen said that “together we can deal with [the] security challenges of the 21st century and we can work together to create the stability, security and prosperity this region deserves.”

The NATO secretary general emphasized that he is traveling in this region because the S. Caucasus is important to Euro-Atlantic security and because NATO values its relationship with all of the countries living in this region and appreciates their support.

Calling Georgia “a special partner for NATO and a model of commitment,” he stressed the country’s “significant contribution” to NATO’s mission in Afghanistan. Expressing his gratitude to the Georgian government and people for their support, Rasmussen said that this autumn, Georgia will become the largest non-NATO contributor.

“Together we want to enhance stability in this region and promote democracy, freedom and human rights,” he stated.

Vakhtang Khmaladze, a political analyst and majoritarian candidate for the Georgian Dream coalition, said the agreement among the three countries would seriously encourage their economic development.

He pointed out that while Georgians first need to ensure its own security, he also stressed that cooperating with foreign partners is also essential. “Friendship between the states and people differ,” he said, stressing that countries take steps to gain the trust of their partners “for a better future” and in order to reduce the risks posed by unfriendly states.

If Georgia is focused on its integration into NATO, it should take part in international missions to show that it can also contribute something to the system of security, political analyst Zurab Abashidze said.

Acknowledging the fact that the risks are high, Abashidze said that the international missions help train Georgian soldiers.

He also said that the NATO secretary general’s visit is important right before Georgia's parliamentary elections, as his presence is a sign of support not only towards the Georgian government but for the people as well.