FM Zalkaliani: ‘I believe NATO partners’ stance on Georgia, Ukraine is unwavering’
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said that NATO’s stance on Georgia and Ukraine is unwavering and that they [partner countries] will tell Russia at NATO-Russia talks today that the alliance’s position towards both countries will not be revised. Photo: mfa.gov.ge.
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Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said that NATO’s stance on Georgia and Ukraine is unwavering and that they [partner countries] will tell Russia at NATO-Russia talks today that the alliance’s position towards both countries will not be revised.
Representatives from Russia and NATO are meeting in Brussels today for talks aimed at defusing growing tensions over Russia’s military buildup near the border of Ukraine. Russia has demanded security guarantees from NATO and the US, including pledging that NATO will not allow Ukraine and Georgia to join the military alliance.
Today’s meeting of the #NATO–#Russia Council is underway. It is a timely opportunity for dialogue at a critical moment for European security. When tensions are high, it is even more important that we sit down around the same table and address our concerns. pic.twitter.com/Ek8ey05aGL
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) January 12, 2022
Responding to the issue, Zalkaliani noted that Georgia has had intensive communication with the main strategic partners, NATO and the US recently. He said our [Georgia’s] partners position is solid.
Despite the demands and the very harsh rhetoric that we [the Georgian government] heard from Russia, the position of our western partners is very solid. They made it clear to Russia once again that security guarantees and membership of the alliance will be decided by the countries themselves,” Zalkaliani said.
Zalkaliani also noted that the decision was made in 2008 at the Bucharest Summit that Georgia and Ukraine will eventually become members of the Alliance.
Moreover, we [Georgia] have a guarantee that clearer decisions will be made over Georgia’s integration to NATO at the Madrid Summit this year,” Zalkaliani said.
FM Zalkaliani also said he does not expect Russia to radically change its position and become consistent in its approaches to the common Euro-Atlantic and European security system, ‘as it is a long process.’
Russia has called on NATO member states to rescind the 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration supporting Georgia and Ukraine's bid to become members of the alliance. The statement, issued by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demanded the security guarantees from the United States and its allies.
The United States continues to support NATO’s decision of the 2008 Bucharest Summit Declaration that Georgia and Ukraine will become NATO members. A day before the NATO foreign ministerial in Riga the Department of State also underscored that ‘these countries’ Annual National Programs (ANP) detail their path to membership’.
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).
Vice-President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell states that Russia is violating three fundamental principles: the right of each state to freely choose its alliances, non-use of force and respect for the territorial integrity of all states in Ukraine, ‘as it has already done in Georgia.'
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said that NATO allies have called on Russia to withdraw forces from Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova at a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council held earlier today.
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan has said that Georgia is a 'valued partner' of NATO and the United States following consultations regarding Russia's 'aggressive actions' with Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani and US Assistant Secretary Karen Donfried yesterday evening.
Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio has said that NATO cannot renege on the 'Open Door' policy and its commitments towards Georgia and Ukraine.
Di Maio noted the 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration supports Georgia and Ukraine's bid to become members of the alliance "at a time in the future."
Georgian foreign minister David Zalkaliani has condemned the Russian State Duma’s appeal to the country’s President Vladimir Putin yesterday to recognise the independence of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions, saying the move would “further aggravate the already difficult situation and jeopardise international agreements."
Georgia’s foreign minister David Zalkaliani discussed an initiative by prime minister of the country for facilitating regional mediation and a dialogue platform for ensuring peace and stability in the South Caucasus, during the participation of the Georgian delegation at the ongoing Munich Security Conference.
David Zalkaliani, the Georgian Foreign Minister, has been invited to the meeting of foreign ministers of NATO member and allied states, with the event launching next week in Brussels.
Zbigniew Rau, the Chairman-in-Office of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and Poland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, has extended his gratitude to Georgian authorities and citizens for their support for Ukraine, noting the OSCE commended the country’s “unconditional” support for the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.