NATO's New Caucasus Envoy Visits Georgia, Meets Georgian Dream Officials, Sees Occupation Line
By Messenger Staff
Monday, May 11, 2026
Kevin Hamilton, NATO's newly appointed Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, wrapped up a visit to Georgia this week that included meetings with senior Georgian Dream ministers, a stop at a key military training facility, and a trip to the occupation line with Tskhinvali/South Ossetia.
Hamilton assumed the role in March. His visit comes against a backdrop of strained NATO-Georgia relations following the 2024 parliamentary elections and their aftermath, which, according to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's 2025 annual report, led to cooperation being "reprioritised."
Hamilton met Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on May 7. The Georgian Foreign Ministry said the two discussed the agenda for NATO-Georgia relations, with the conversation focusing on political dialogue, practical cooperation with the Alliance, and NATO's support for Georgia's defense capabilities.
The situation in Georgia's occupied territories also came up, along with the regional security environment and what the ministry described as "global challenges and the importance of peace and stability for Georgia."
The ministry said Hamilton "expressed gratitude to the Georgian side for its contribution to the strengthening of common Euro-Atlantic security and reaffirmed the Alliance's unequivocal support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
On May 8, Hamilton met Georgian Dream Defense Minister Irakli Chikovani. The Defense Ministry said the two covered the main directions of NATO-Georgia cooperation and future prospects, including results achieved under the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package (SNGP).
Hamilton again thanked the Georgian side "for its contribution to ensuring common Euro-Atlantic security," the ministry said.
Later that day, Hamilton visited the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Centre (JTEC) in Krtsanisi, hosted by First Deputy Defense Minister Paata Patiashvili, Deputy Commander of the Defense Forces Major General Irakli Chichinadze, and Centre representatives. He received a briefing on JTEC's history, mission, structure, and ongoing and planned projects, and toured the facility's infrastructure.
Hamilton also traveled to Odzisi village to see the occupation line with Tskhinvali/South Ossetia firsthand. After the visit, he posted on X: "NATO will always support a Georgia which is whole, free, and at home within its internationally-recognised borders."
The visit comes as NATO publicly signals concern about Georgia's democratic direction. Rutte has said the Alliance has "serious worries" about Georgia's democratic trajectory and called on Tbilisi to return to a "pro-EU, European-forward-looking approach."
