Georgian opposition factions sign memorandum to push Georgia, Ukraine membership in NATO
The opposition says that the creation of an international parliamentary platform will support Georgia’s and Ukraine’s rapid integration into NATO. Photo:IPN.
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Two Georgian parliamentary factions, Lelo-Partnership for Georgia and Charles Michel’s Reforms Group have signed a memorandum earlier today which aims to push Georgia’s and Ukraine’s NATO membership.
- Three opposition MPs join Lelo faction in parliament
- Opposition forms new faction in parliament - Charles Michel’s Reforms Group
The memorandum initiates the creation of an international parliamentary platform which will support the two countries’ rapid integration into the alliance.
NATO takes the regional dynamics into account when it decides to add new members. The international parliamentary platform will consolidate joint efforts for Georgia’s and Ukraine’s NATO membership,” say the factions.
The factions plan to ‘actively communicate’ with partner states, international organisations and Ukrainian MPs to draft a joint action plan.
The United States and the EU say in a joint statement released following the June 14 NATO summit that they will support the reform path of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. “We resolve to work towards long-term peace, resilience and stability in the South Caucasus,” said the statement which is composed of 36 notes, with two notes about Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova. The statement has condemned ‘Russia's continued actions to undermine Ukraine’s and Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence’.
“Georgia’s relationship with the alliance contains all the practical tools to prepare for eventual membership. We are working closely with Georgia on security in the Black Sea region, in response to Russia’s increasingly destabilising activities, and welcome the steps taken to implement the refreshed Substantial NATO-Georgia Package. We stand ready to enhance our support to Georgia, including in building resilience against hybrid threats, in training and exercises, and in secure communications. We look forward to the next NATO-Georgia exercise in 2022,” said the communique.
Five MPs of three opposition parties and two independent MPs have formed a new faction in the Georgian state legislature with the name Charles Michel’s Reforms Group.
Salome Samadashvili from the United National Movement opposition party, Armaz Akhvlediani and Shavla Shavgulidze who appeared in the 10th convocation of the state legislature through the European Georgia opposition party list, have joined the Lelo opposition party faction in parliament.