US Deputy Sec Sherman, FM Zalkaliani discuss ways to enhance peace, security in Europe
The Georgian Foreign Ministry states that Zalkaliani and Sherman agreed to continue consultations on regional security issues in the future as well. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman discussed ways to enhance peace and security in Europe with Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani during a phone conversation yesterday, the US State Department spokesperson’s office reports.
Sherman and Zalkaliani also talked about the security environment in the region and the Russian Federation’s attempts to hinder Georgia and Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration, the Georgian Foreign Ministry reports.
The conversation precedes the Russia-US security talks on January 10 in Geneva, and the NATO-Russia council scheduled on January 12 in Brussels.
I just spoke with Georgian Foreign Minister @DZalkaliani to express our unwavering support for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. We discussed Russian aggression and how to enhance peace and security in Europe. https://t.co/mo5K5mtcNi
— Wendy R. Sherman (@DeputySecState) January 5, 2022
[Zalkaliani] noted that Russia's attempts to hamper Georgia and Ukraine's integration into NATO contradict the principles and norms of international law and aims at restricting the sovereign state's right to pursue an independent foreign and security policy,” the ministry says.
Russia released a statement on December 10 demanding NATO member states rescind the 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration supporting Georgia and Ukraine's goal of becoming members of the alliance.
The conversation also touched upon the issue of Russian occupation of neighbouring countries’ territories and the failure to fulfil international obligations, emphasising that ‘ obligations under the ceasefire agreement of August 12, 2008, remain one of the main challenges for modern European security.’
The Deputy Secretary noted the US will continue to urge Russia to withdraw its forces to pre-war positions and comply with the 2008 ceasefire agreement,” the US State Department spokesperson’s office reports.
A huge thank you to Wendy R. Sherman @DeputySecState for reaffirming that ????????’s support for ????????’s sovereignty/territorial integrity remains strong, especially in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression. ???????? &???????? remain steadfast partners in their pursuit of peace&stability in region. https://t.co/qi9sVkGwLs
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) January 5, 2022
The EU-brokered ceasefire 6-Point agreement between Georgia and Russia was signed after the Russia-Georgia war in 2008.
The latter began on August 8, 2008, and lasted five days. Four-hundred and eight Georgians died in the armed conflict and about 26,000 people were left internally displaced.
Zalkaliani thanked Sherman for the coordination and exchange of information, noting that it ‘reaffirms the importance of the US-Georgia strategic partnership to the US.’
Sherman reiterated America’s unwavering support for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry states that Zalkaliani and Sherman agreed to continue consultations on regional security issues in the future as well.
Former Secretary-General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen says that it is time to set out an action plan for Georgia and Ukraine to become NATO member countries.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has stated that NATO cannot compromise on its right to protect and defend all allies in response to Moscow’s recent demand that the alliance should provide security guarantees, the German Press Agency DPA international reports.
Lithuanian MEP Andrius Kubilius has stated that it is time to ‘move forward with the real Euroatlantic integration’ of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, noting that otherwise ‘it will become clear that the future of these countries is sacrificed for the appeasement of Putin.'
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has stated that the invitation of Georgia to Riga Summit at the meetings of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) is the recognition of Georgia’s progress as an aspirant country by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman has emphasised the US’ ‘commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and the freedom of sovereign nations to choose their own alliances’ during a meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on January 9 in Geneva, the US State Department spokesperson’s office reports.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said yesterday in an interview with CNN that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s objective of ‘re-exert[ing] a sphere of influence over countries that previously were part of the Soviet Union is unacceptable.'
US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman stated yesterday following the Russia-US Strategic Stability Dialogue (SSD) that the US ‘will not allow anyone to slam closed NATO's open door policy,’ adding that the policy has ‘always been central to the NATO Alliance.'
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani discussed the ongoing negotiations between Russia and NATO allies with Deputy Secretary-General of NATO Mircea Geoana during a phone call yesterday ahead of the NATO-Russia council meeting scheduled on January 12, the Foreign Ministry of Georgia (FMA) reports.
Russia’s “illegal and provocative actions” along the administrative line separating Georgia’s occupied regions from the government-controlled territory, as well as Kremlin’s policy on sovereignty of Georgia and Ukraine were among topics discussed by Georgian foreign minister David Zalkaliani and Toivo Klaar, European Union’s Special Representative for the South Caucasus, on Tuesday.
It was a mistake by NATO not to grant Ukraine and Georgia their Membership Action Plans (MAP) back in 2008, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the former Secretary-General of the alliance, said in an interview with the Georgian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on Monday.