NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says Georgia has made a lot of progress but still needs further reforms before being admitted to the alliance.

He spoke Wednesday in the capital, Tblisi, after meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Nika Gilauri and other officials.

Rasmussen said upcoming elections in Georgia will be a key test of its democratic reforms, and that work still needs to be done in a number of areas.

NATO urged the country to continue strengthening the rule of law and working to ensure free and fair elections.

Rasmussen also praised Georgia for its contributions to the NATO-led coalition in Afghanistan. Georgia has more than 900 troops in Afghanistan, the second largest force of any non-NATO member.

NATO said in 2008 that Georgia would eventually gain membership. Russia strongly opposes Georgian membership in NATO. Russia and Georgia fought a brief war in 2008.