US Defence Authorisation Act affirms “eventual membership of Georgia in NATO”

The US Defence Authorisation Act, which the president of the United States Donald Trump signed on August 13, affirms support for the open door policy of NATO, “including the eventual membership of Georgia in NATO”.

NATO's open door policy states that NATO membership is open to any “European state in a position to further the principles of [the] treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area”.

The document also considers Georgia an ally and partner of the United States.

The sub-chapter of the act ‘Sense of Senate of Enhancing Deterrence Against Russian Aggression in Europe’ reads that:

To protect the national security of the United States and fulfil the ironclad commitment of the United States to its obligations under the North Atlantic Treaty, it is the policy of the United States to pursue, in full coordination with NATO, an integrated approach to strengthening the defence of allies and partners in Europe as part of a broader, long-term strategy backed by all elements of United States national power to deter and, if necessary, defeat Russian aggression”.

The sub-chapter also includes recommendations on how to increase security assistance for Georgia.

It is the sense of Congress that in order to strengthen the defence of United States allies and partners in Europe, the Secretary of Defence, in coordination with the Secretary of State and in consultation with the commander of United States European Command, should …support robust security sector assistance for Georgia, including defensive lethal assistance, to strengthen the defence capabilities and readiness of Georgia, and improve interoperability with NATO forces”, reads the sub-chapter.

The document also underlines the importance of the increased frequency, scale and scope of NATO and other multilateral exercises in the Black Sea with the participation of Ukraine and Georgia.