US Secretary of State backs Georgia’s NATO aspirations

US State Secretary John Kerry confirmed the US Administration remained firmly committed to NATO’s Open Door policy and to support each of aspiring nation, including Georgia, in their individual paths towards joining the Alliance.

Kerry expressed the US Administration’s position towards NATO-aspiring countries in a responding letter to US Congressmen, who, in early February, asked the Secretary of State to grant Georgia a Membership Action Plan (MAP) at the upcoming NATO 2014 Summit.

In his letter, Kerry said the State Administration were eager to support "Georgia’s aspiration to create the consensus for granting the Membership Action Plan”.

"Georgia continues to continue great strides in its reform efforts. We applaud Georgia for its well-administrated Presidential Election in 2013 and recognise its invaluable contributions to NATO operations, ISAF in particular.”

"In this and other arenas, Georgia has proven to be a capable and committed operational partner. Georgia deserves credit at the NATO 2014 Summit for the progress the country has achieved for its commitment to NATO standards,” the statement read.

Kerry said the US Administration shared the U.S. Congressmen’s views that NATO must remain engaged with Georgia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to engage political and defense reforms.

"Allies acknowledge that each aspirant is unique, and each nation’s path to NATO membership requires tailored mentoring and support,” Kerry’s statement said.

The US Secretary of State released his letter a day before today’s planned meeting with Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s in Washington, February 26.