US Congressman Adam Kinzinger: "Time for Georgia to be fully a member of NATO"
Congressman Kinzinger spoke at the online webinar that also featured Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani and foreign officials and researchers. Photo via Rep. Adam Kinzinger Page on Facebook.
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Congressman Adam Kinzinger, Co-chair of the Friends of Georgia Group in the United States Congress and a Republican Party member, said it is "time for Georgia to be fully a member of NATO" in his address as part of the 'Peace and Security in Europe' online conference on Friday.
Kinzinger spoke at the webinar organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia in cooperation with the Middle East Institute’s Frontier Europe Initiative and also featuring Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani along with foreign officials and researchers.
In his introductory words the American congressman said 12 years of Russian occupation since the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia were "12 years too long" and added the occupation should not be a reason to impede the country's membership in the alliance.
I believe it's time for Georgia to be fully a member of NATO - I'm sure a lot of my frends on here agree with that. And in fact, the fact that Georgia is occupied shouldn't be the reason that Georgia does not come into NATO - it should actually be the impetus to get them in there," the Republican Party member told the webinar.
Kinzinger also spoke of Georgia being a significant member of NATO's Resolute Support peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan and stressed the scale of the country's effort in the mission.
Georgia is among the strongest partners in the war in Afghanistan. When it comes to per capita involvement Georgia is basically second only to the Unites States in terms of their involvement in Afghanistan, and I think a very, very important partner in the future," the congressman noted.
The opening remarks from the American politician also involved mentions of bills and the National Defense Authorization Act, approved by US lawmakers recently and featuring ongoing support for Georgia.
Kinzinger's words came at the webinar 'Peace and Security in Europe: 12 years of Georgia’s Struggle for De-Occupation' was broadcast on YouTube and Twitter by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.