BRUSSELS, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- NATO encouraged Georgia to continue reforms to prepare for NATO membership, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday said in Georgia's capital Tbilisi.
Stoltenberg made the remarks in a speech at National Parliamentary Library of Georgia at the end of a visit to Tbilisi, according to NATO's press release.
Stoltenberg said Georgia is "a close partner of NATO, aspiring to membership." He stressed that "the bonds between NATO and Georgia are stronger than ever."
Meeting with Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Stoltenberg praised Georgia for its important contributions to NATO's operations and activities. He added that the alliance is committed to helping Georgia move towards NATO membership.
NATO allied leaders agreed at the 2008 Bucharest Summit that Georgia will become a NATO member, provided it meets all necessary requirements.
