NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in his opening remarks at a meeting of defense ministers in the framework of NATO-Georgia Commission in Brussels on June 4 that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has repercussions for Georgia as well.

“We continue high level dialogue with Georgia in the context of continued serious challenges for our security,” Rasmussen said.

“NATO allies do not, and will not, recognize Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea.  And neither do we accept Russia’s recognition of the South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions of Georgia as independent states. NATO stands up for the right of every nation to make its sovereign choice on foreign and security policy,” he said.

He also noted Georgia’s “good progress, especially in making the defence and security sectors more transparent and accountable.”

“We look forward to further implementation of reforms and we will continue to assist you in this process,” Rasmussen said and added that the Alliance stands by its 2008 Bucharest summit decision that Georgia will be a member of NATO, provided it fulfills the requirements.

Rasmussen said that NATO foreign minister will discuss Georgia’s aspirations at a meeting later in June.

“And I am confident that our next Summit [in Wales in September] will recognize Georgia’s progress,” Rasmussen added.