On February 21, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze held a significant meeting with Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary-General of NATO, at the NATO headquarters in Brussels. 

Secretary-General Stoltenberg commended Prime Minister Kobakhidze on his appointment and reiterated NATO's steadfast support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He emphasized NATO's call for Russia to reverse its recognition of Georgian territories as independent states and denounced the annexation of Georgia's occupied territories. Stoltenberg also addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, reaffirming NATO's support for the country and acknowledging the resilience of the Ukrainian people. He highlighted the recent military support packages provided by NATO allies and praised Georgia's humanitarian and financial aid to Ukraine, as well as its assistance to Ukrainian refugees. Furthermore, Stoltenberg congratulated Georgia on gaining candidate status with the European Union and encouraged continued domestic reforms and adherence to democratic values.

In response, Prime Minister Kobakhidze expressed gratitude for NATO's unwavering support and highlighted Georgia's significant contributions to Euro-Atlantic security through its participation in NATO-led missions and operations. He emphasized Georgia's commitment to NATO's values and reform agenda despite internal and external challenges. Kobakhidze reiterated Georgia's dedication to the NATO-Georgia partnership and stressed the importance of maintaining international unity and upholding the principles of international law in the face of evolving security threats.

The discussion extended to security issues in the Black Sea region. Stoltenberg welcomed efforts to enhance navigation safety and commerce through demining operations. He expressed NATO's commitment to further developing its partnership with Georgia, particularly in areas such as crisis management, cybersecurity, and military engineering.