Brussels. December 2. INTERFAX-NATO foreign Ministers discussed partnership relations and the Alliance's response to the expansion of Russia's military presence in the black sea region with the participation of the foreign Ministers of Georgia and Ukraine on Wednesday, Secretary General of the organization Jens Stoltenberg said.
"We reviewed the security situation in the black sea region, which is of strategic importance. Russia continues to violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and Ukraine. It continues to build up its military power in Crimea and is increasingly deploying forces in the black sea region. NATO responds by strengthening its presence on land, at sea and in the air, " Stoltenberg said at a press conference at the end of the online Ministerial meeting.
According to him, Georgia and Ukraine are valuable partners of NATO. "They make an important contribution to our missions. Today, we reiterated our support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and Ukraine. We discussed their reform programs, and we will step up our practical support, " the head of the North Atlantic Alliance said.
Stoltenberg said that the meeting approved an updated substantial package of NATO-Georgia measures. This, he noted, strengthens the Alliance's political support for Georgia.
The NATO Secretary General also announced that the foreign Ministers agreed on further steps of the Alliance to increase its awareness of the situation in the region and strengthen dialogue with both partners - Georgia and Ukraine.
He pointed out that NATO has increased combat readiness in the region, and there are more Alliance forces there. Last week, NATO air training took place in the Black sea along with the USS Donald cook.
"Air patrols are being conducted. There is a targeted NATO presence in Romania. So there is an increased presence in the Black sea region both at the level of NATO member States and in terms of closer cooperation with our two partner States-Georgia and Ukraine. And today the message was clear: the allies are ready to expand these processes in many areas and provide practical support, " Stoltenberg explained in response to a question.
The NATO foreign Ministers also discussed the events in Belarus and Nagorno-Karabakh, he said.
"Both Minsk and Moscow must respect the right of the Belarusian people to determine their own future through an inclusive political dialogue," the NATO Secretary General said.