NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said “pragmatism” shown by Georgia in WTO talks with Russia “confirms our confidence in Georgia.”

“Let me take this opportunity to congratulate Georgia on the WTO agreement with Russia,” Rasmussen said while speaking at a news conference in Tbilisi after NATO-Georgia Commission session.

Earlier on November 9 the Georgian negotiator said that Tbilisi and Moscow signed an agreement in the Swiss-mediated talks, thus finalizing their bilateral WTO negotiations..

“It is an important agreement,” Rasmussen said. “The Russian membership of the World Trade Organization will enhance free trade in line with our ambition to engage Russia in a constructive economic, political and security cooperation.”

“We welcome that the Swiss-mediated agreement will allow the presence of international monitors along Georgia’s internationally recognized borders,” he said.

“I command the Georgian and Russian authorities for their constructive approach which made this agreement possible. That pragmatism confirms our confidence in Georgia,” Rasmussen added.