Georgian PM: It's in NATO's interests to help Georgia approach membership
PM Bakhtaze said the government firmly believes that the country's achievements will be met with tangible steps in terms of getting closer to NATO membership. Photo: PM's office
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Prime Minister of Georgia Mamuka Bakhtadze spoke about Georgia's expectations towards possible NATO membership while delivering a speech at a round table devoted to alliance enlargement prospects hosted by the Munich Security Conference.
While delivering a speech at the event he said it is in the alliance's interests to advance Georgia on its way towards membership.
#Georgia hosted a discussion on #NATO’s Open Door policy at #MSC2019 organized by @MunSecConf & #GDSC. We remain fully committed to our Euro-Atlantic aspirations & are reforming our defence and security architecture in full accordance to the NATO standards. pic.twitter.com/RfSIjbHFp1
— Mamuka Bakhtadze (@BakhtadzeMamuka) February 16, 2019
The Chairman of the Munich Security Conference Wolfgang Ischinger, Deputy Secretary General of NATO, Rose Gottemoeller and the Defence Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Radmila Sekerinska attended the event.
PM Bakhtadze used the opportunity and congratulated the Republic of North Macedonia on its historic achievement of signing the accession agreement with the alliance on February 6 and welcomes the clear prospect of possible membership for other nations as well.
For Georgia, as an aspirant country, the success of Balkan countries verses as an encouraging example and we hope that this process will trigger our integration process as well,” PM Bakhtadze said adding that the NATO membership remains the top priority of Georgia's foreign policy and the government is devoted to get advanced in the process.
He said the government firmly believes that Georgia's achievements will be met with tangible steps and the country will become closer to the NATO membership.
We should look forwards and fasten the political part of the integration process. Georgia's advancement on this way will help us to significantly improve security level in the Euro-Atlantic area, commonly reflected on all the alliance member and partner countries. Becoming a NATO member country ia of a critical importance for Georgia but it is also in the NATO's interests itself to push the country closer to the alliance membership. We think that it is time to make certain steps in this regard as the ‘the window of opportunities’ is open now. Hesitation is not going to help us in addressing the challenges,” PM Bakhtadze said.
He has emphasised that the NATO enlargement is the best option for increased security and peace in Europe while Georgia's 'outstanding efforts give a very solid basis for this’. He expressed hope that with allies, partners and friends Georgia will find ways to overcome the challenges and get advanced on its way to NATO membership.