Georgia is sending a "political message” to its foreign friends and strategic partners where the restoration of territorial integrity, enhancement of democratic institutions and accession to the European Union (EU) are the top priorities.
It is important not to finalise the year without expression of foreign priorities of the country. This political message is important for Georgia’s foreign friends and strategic partners as well as for our citizens,” said the First Deputy Chairperson Tamar Chugoshvili while introducing the draft Resolution on Foreign Course of Georgia to the members of Georgian Parliament yesterday.
With 91 votes the Parliament unanimously adopted the draft of the Resolution on Foreign Course of Georgia, prepared by the ruling Georgian Dream party. None of the MPs were against the bill.
Strengthening the country’s sovereignty and restoring the territorial integrity "in a peaceful way” were the main priorities of Georgia’s external policy.
The document underlined Georgia-Russia relations. Recalling that Russia has occupied 20 percent of Georgian territories, de-occupation remained the main priority through rational, pragmatic and principal policy with Russia.
The First Deputy Chairperson Tamar Chugoshvili while introducing the draft Resolution on Foreign Course of Georgia to the members of Georgian Parliament yesterday. Photo by the Parliament of Georgia.
At the same time Georgia’s relationship with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the county’s integration into the Alliance was the focus of the document. Also, the policy put accents on Georgia-EU relationship, which included implementation of Georgia-EU Association Agreement, signed in July 2014.
In this regards, reforms will continue. We also state the AA is not the final step for Georgia, but the ultimate goal is EU membership in line with the Article 49 of EUAA and NATO membership,” said Chugoshvili.
Georgia further works to practically implement the decision adopted at the Bucharest Summit, 2008 on NATO membership of Georgia. The country further enhances defence capacity and NATO interoperability reforms. The priority is further approximation with the main strategic partner – the United States,” she added.
Resolution on Foreign Course of Georgia read Georgian Government will attract particular attention to international security and stability enhancement through participation in military operations, combating international terrorism and organised crime, as well as in prevention of mass destruction weapon, conventional arms and uncontrollable distribution of military equipment.
Other priorities of the country were effective usage of geo-political location, smooth economic development and reintegration of Georgians living abroad.
Majority MPs gave the positive estimation to the document.