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Georgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Zalkaliani participated today in the NATO Foreign Ministerial, held in Riga, the Latvian capital, where he was invited alongside his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba.

Speaking with reporters on the doorstep of the Ministerial, FM Zalkaliani said that “it is very important that the role of Georgia, as an aspirant country, be appropriately evaluated,” adding that Alliance should keep prioritizing Black Sea security and the NATO Open Door Policy.

The top Georgian diplomat stressed being invited at the meeting together with Ukraine was “another confirmation that the progress by Georgia and Ukraine on the NATO integration path is well-received by our partners in NATO.”

On his part, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg highlighted in his opening remarks at the session, that “Georgia and Ukraine are among NATO’s closest partners, contributing to NATO’s operations and missions, and aspiring for membership in the Alliance.”