Georgia and Ukraine are among NATO's closes partners - NATO secretary general

RIGA - Georgia and Ukraine are among NATO's closest partners, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at the opening of the North Atlantic Council's (NATO) meeting with Georgia's and Ukraine's foreign ministers today.

He reminded that at the Alliance's summit in June, Allied heads of state and government reaffirmed their strong support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia and Ukraine. Georgia and Ukraine are not only among NATO's closest partners, but also contribute to the Alliance's operations and missions.

"Georgia and Ukraine are hoping to join the alliance. NATO is not backing down from its decision at the Bucharest Summit. We are not backing down from our commitment to provide political and practical support to both countries," Stoltenberg said.

At the NATO Bucharest Summit in 2008, member states unanimously emphasized that Ukraine and Georgia would become members of NATO as soon as they met all the necessary preconditions.