Georgia’s Foreign Ministry welcomes NATO’s ‘open door’ policy

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia is welcoming a decision by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) to affirm its ‘open door’ policy is available to aspirant countries.

NATO Foreign Ministers met on December 1 and 2 at a NATO Ministerial in Brussels, Belgium. The event was attended by Georgia’s Foreign Minister Tinatin Khidasheli.

It is noteworthy that our allies for the first time openly declared that Georgia’s relationship with the Alliance contains all the practical tools to prepare for eventual membership. As for the Membership Action Plan (MAP), it becomes an integral part of the political decision to invite Georgia to join NATO,” said Georgia’s Foreign Ministry in a statement this afternoon. 

The Ministry voiced its satisfaction regarding NATO’s praise of the recent reforms carried out in Georgia and the county’s commitment to international peace and security. 

NATO member states positively appraised the ongoing process of implementation of the NATO-Georgia Substantial Package, which aims to strengthen Georgia’s defence capabilities and, thereby, helps Georgia advance in its preparations for membership to the Alliance.” 

It is also worth noting that before next year’s Warsaw NATO Summit, new, practical ways will be explored to intensify efforts for the implementation of the package, including through high-level political dialogue and increased cooperation including in defence and strategic communications,” Georgia’s Foreign Ministry said. 

The Georgian side appreciated NATO’s firm support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and for condemning Russia’s occupying activities in Georgia’s occupied regions Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia). 

Moreover, NATO does not recognise the so-called treaties signed between Russia and the Georgian regions and maintains that they violate Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and blatantly contradicts the principles of international law, OSCE principles and Russia’s international commitments,” the Ministry highlighted. 

Georgia’s Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Davit Bakradze responded to NATO’s ‘open door’ policy declaration and stressed "Georgia has reached all the goals that needed to be achieved at this stage”. 

He added: "Georgia went to the Ministerial after carrying out successful reforms and worthy achievements and the consequence was evident,” Bakradze said. 

He stressed Georgia would continue its efforts to achieve NATO membership.