On March 26, Mark Rutte, the NATO Secretary General, presented the Alliance’s 2025 annual report, emphasizing the strategic importance of the South Caucasus for NATO’s security, particularly amid the ongoing impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The report noted "significant progress" in the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, highlighting the initialing of the August peace agreement as a "pivotal step" toward normalization and regional stability. It also acknowledged the ongoing involvement of the United States in facilitating the process, adding that NATO "is prepared to strengthen dialogue and cooperation" with both countries.

Addressing Georgia, the report stated that Allies reassessed NATO’s engagement following the 2024 parliamentary elections and subsequent developments. As a result, certain elements of NATO–Georgia cooperation were reprioritized, including aspects of the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package. At the same time, cooperation with the Georgian Defence Forces continued, underscored by the successful NATO–Georgia exercise held in May.

The NATO Liaison Office in Tbilisi maintained active engagement with all three South Caucasus partners throughout the year. The report also outlined the ongoing role of the NATO Building Integrity Programme, established in 2007, which continued in 2025 to provide strategic guidance, practical tools, and methodologies aimed at strengthening governance, improving defence resource management, and preventing corruption within defence and security institutions.

Through institutional reforms, training, and education initiatives, the programme promoted evidence-based approaches to identifying and mitigating corruption risks. In 2025, it delivered significant support to Ukraine, particularly in enhancing interoperability with NATO and improving defence procurement systems. Additional assistance was extended to several partner countries, including Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Georgia, Iraq, Jordan, the Republic of Moldova, and Tunisia.

Among the highlights of the Defence Education Enhancement Programme, the report noted Armenia’s continued transformation of its professional military education system, while Azerbaijan intensified the exchange of best practices with other partner states.