NATO Deputy Assistant Sec-Gen Pays Official Visit to Georgia
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Thursday, April 21, 2022
NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary-General for Modern Security Challenges James Appathurai addressed the Committee on Defense and Security of the Parliament of Georgia. The topic of Appathurai's report was NATO cooperation with Georgia in the field of cyber security and combating hybrid threats.
Before the meeting, Appathurai commented on the media and stressed the current security situation in the world and the unwavering attitude of the Alliance towards Georgia.
“It is clear that the security situation has deteriorated, it is clear. But what has not changed is NATO's commitment to its open-door policy. In my opinion, this is still the case with Georgia. I am convinced that when NATO leaders meet in Madrid at the end of June, they will reaffirm their commitment to the open door,” Appathurai said.
Appathurai stated he has specific issues and ideas on what practical help to provide to their ally in the fight against cyber and hybrid threats. According to James Appathurai, Russia carried out cyber-attacks in Ukraine before and after the war, so it is important to increase Georgia's defense capabilities in this direction.
“We also have concrete ideas on how to protect Georgia from coordinated attacks, which include information, cyber, or energy attacks.
As for energy security, while European countries stop receiving energy from Russia, Georgia's role in supplying energy to Europe is even more important. So it is very important to consider how Georgia can protect itself in terms of energy security, as well as hybrid, cyber and physical attacks,” Appathurai said.
Appathurai was also asked to assess Georgia's position on sanctions against Russia.
He added that the North Atlantic Alliance wants to see every country do its utmost to support Ukraine and put pressure on Russia to end this war. He also clarified that NATO, as an organization, does not participate in sanctions.
According to Appathurai, as to what Georgia should do to become a NATO member, the Alliance expects to see Georgia continue democratic reforms and reduce political polarization.
Before the closing of the sitting, Irakli Beraia, Chairman of the Defense and Security Committee of the Georgian Parliament, spoke about the security situation in the world and the challenges in the Black Sea region in the wake of the Russian war in Ukraine, as well as the importance of Georgia-NATO partnership.
“Georgia is an enhanced aspirant partner of NATO, has all the practical tools to join the Alliance, and has never been so close to NATO as it is today. At a time when the rule-based international order is at stake when the Russian Federation is waging one of the most brutal wars in the history of mankind against our strategic partner, a sovereign, European state, the international architecture, especially the Black Sea security measures, the expansion of the alliance and Georgia’s integration into it is of particular importance.”
According to him, NATO needs a responsible ally like Georgia in the future.
Beraia stressed how much Georgia welcomed NATO's commitment to open-door policy and the decision of the Bucharest Summit in 2008 to emphasize that all countries decide for themselves whether to choose alliances and that no third party can veto it.
“We expect that the communique of the Madrid Summit and the new strategic concept of NATO properly reflect these aspects and further specify Georgia's Euro-Atlantic perspective.”
During the visit, Appathurai will also hold meetings with Georgian government officials. In addition to the Parliament, meetings are planned at the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Defense. He will also meet with the ambassadors.
