Anders Fogh Rasmussen notes major progress in NATO-Georgia relationsNovember 6, 2011 - 16:19 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Visit of the NATO's senior decision-making body, North Atlantic Council, to Georgia next week is "a very significant event that stresses the very special partnership between Georgia and NATO," Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the alliance's Secretary General, said. Speaking at a news conference in Brussels, he said that since NAC's first visit to Georgia three years ago, there had been "significant progress" in NATO-Georgia relations, as well as in "reforms of the Georgian defense and the Georgian society in general." "The purpose of our visit to Georgia will be to discuss with the political leaders in Georgia how we can make further progress when it comes to reforms, and further progress in the relationship between Georgia and NATO," Rasmussen said. He reiterated NATO's gratitude for Georgia's significant contribution to the Afghan operation. "Georgia belongs to the largest contributors to our operation in Afghanistan and it is a testament to the very strong Georgian commitment to our Alliance," he added. The NATO Secretary General and NAC, involving ambassadors from the member states, will visit Tbilisi and Batumi on November 9-10, Civil.Ge reported. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |