NATO Reprioritises Cooperation With Georgia, Rutte Voices 'Serious Worries'
By Messenger Staff
Friday, March 27, 2026
Mark Rutte said NATO has "serious worries" about Georgia's democratic trajectory, as the alliance confirmed it has adjusted parts of its cooperation with Georgia following the 2024 parliamentary elections and their aftermath.
In NATO's 2025 annual report, presented on March 26, the alliance said Allies "reviewed NATO's engagement with Georgia in light of the 2024 parliamentary elections and their aftermath." It added that "as a result, elements of NATO-Georgia cooperation were reprioritised, including some aspects of the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package."
"At the same time, defence cooperation with the Georgian Defence Forces progressed, highlighted by the successful NATO-Georgia exercise in May," the report says. It also notes that the NATO Liaison Office in Tbilisi "continued active engagement with all three partners across the South Caucasus region."
The report describes the South Caucasus as "important" for NATO's security, "especially as the region continues to feel the impact of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine." It also highlights regional developments, stating that "in 2025, NATO welcomed meaningful progress towards peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan," including a U.S.-brokered August agreement, adding that NATO "stands ready to deepen dialogue and cooperation with both countries."
Presenting the report, Rutte was asked about recent developments in Georgia, including restrictive legislation and the jailing of opposition figures. "When it comes to Georgia, obviously, we coordinate closely with the European Union," he said.
"When it comes to the relationship between NATO and Georgia, we think there is merit in keeping that relationship going," he added, "But, of course, we also have to recognize recent developments."
"That is why we call upon Georgia to return to the path of a more pro-EU, European-forward-looking approach, including making sure that all the developments, [..] the whole trajectory Georgia was on in terms of democracy, rule of law, is continued," Rutte said, adding, "Obviously, there are serious worries at the moment."
