EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell has reaffirmed the EU's support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying that Georgia has a right to choose with whom to cooperate.
Ambassador Hartzell noted that if Russia attempts destabilisation or military intervention in the region, the EU will impose a 'severe cost.'
The ambassador expressed his hope that the current 'tense situation' will be resolved soon.
The Russian Foreign Ministry put forward two proposals on ‘security guarantees’ between Russia, the US and NATO on December 17, which include restrictions on troop, ship, and aircraft deployments for both NATO and Russia, as well limits to the deployment of intermediate and short-range missiles abroad.
On December 10, Russia released a statement demanding NATO member states rescind the 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration supporting Georgia and Ukraine's goal of becoming members of the alliance.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg turned down Russia's demands, saying that they violate 'core principles for European security.'
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said that NATO will not reconsider its decisions regarding Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration following his meeting with Secretary-General Stoltenberg on January 17.