Parliament Speaker expects NATO Summit to send “clear messages” to Georgia

The Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili on Tuesday said he expected the NATO Summit would send “clear messages” to Georgia, emphasising it was “important to translate words into deeds”.

On the one hand, the door to NATO membership is open, but on the other hand, no practical steps are being taken on this. It is important, especially given the existing security challenges, to make progress in this regard”, Papuashvili said following a meeting with a delegation from the Defence and Security Committee of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

The head of the Georgian legislative body stressed the country was “fully compatible” with NATO standards.

Without being a NATO member, Georgia proves by its behaviour that it takes responsibility, the same responsibility as NATO member states take, and is not only a consumer of the security system, but also a contributor to it”, the Parliament official noted. 

Therefore, we expect that the Madrid Summit will send clear messages to Georgia. In the given moment, it is important that the words are translated into deeds and we receive a clearer guide and a clearer plan on the way to NATO membership”, he concluded in his comments.

The Georgian Government’s delegation, led by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, departed for the Summit on Tuesday.

Within the framework of his participation, Garibashvili will hold high-level bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the event. The Georgian delegation also involves Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili, Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze and the Head of the Government Administration Revaz Javelidze.