"We will continue to provide the resources needed to implement the Substantial Package, which aims to strengthen Georgia’s capabilities and, thereby, helps Georgia advance in its preparations for membership in the Alliance. As we prepare for the Warsaw summit, we will explore new, practical ways to intensify efforts including through high-level political dialogue and increased co-operation, including in defense and strategic communications," the statement read.
The NATO summit in Warsaw will take place July 8-9, 2016.
NATO foreign ministers praised Georgia for using "all the opportunities for coming closer to the Alliance," and said the country had made considerable progress in meeting membership requirements, according to the statement.
The alliance underlined that current NATO-Georgia cooperation involved all the "practical tools" to prepare for membership.
In 1992, as Georgia became a sovereign state, it joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, later engaging in other NATO programs. In 2008, NATO supported Georgia's bid to join the alliance, and established a commission to oversee the process of Georgian acceptance into NATO.
In August, Stoltenberg visited Georgia, opening a NATO training center, which will be used to train both Georgian and NATO troops.
