NATO official says alliance’s 2008 decision “in force” for Georgia
In an interview with Imedi TV, Colomina noted it was important to continue the integration process to ensure the country was ready for an eventual membership. Photo: Javier Colomina / Twitter
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Javier Colomina, the NATO Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, on Wednesday said the decision taken at the NATO 2008 Bucharest Summit - where the bloc pledged Georgia and Ukraine would become its members - remained in force for Georgia.
In an interview with Imedi TV, Colomina noted it was important to continue the integration process to ensure the country was ready for an eventual membership.
“Regarding Georgia, it is important to continue the process - we can call it MAP [membership action plan] or annual national program or something else. This is the process during which Georgia or another aspirant country is assessed. In the end, the country should be ready and reforms are needed for that”, Colomina said.
The NATO official stressed Finland’s accession to the alliance meant that the organisation's commitment to the “open door” policy remained in effect.
“We are committed to the decisions made by the organisation in relation to this policy, and this means for Georgia the decision made at the Bucharest Summit in 2008 remains in force. It also means that each country must implement reforms for future membership”, he noted.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday said the alliance’s allied states had agreed to “step up partnership” with partners like Georgia.
Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General, on Tuesday said the Russian aggression against Georgia and Ukraine had pushed the alliance to add new members and take actions to further strengthen its position on the Eastern flank.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Thursday said the annual NATO-Georgia Commission meeting later today would discuss the country’s existing cooperation with the alliance and plans for future “joint activities”.
NATO remains “committed” to supporting eventual membership of Georgia and Ukraine in the alliance, the latest annual report of the bloc’s Secretary General said on Tuesday.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Tuesday expressed his Government’s “readiness” to further deepen political dialogue and practical cooperation with NATO "in all dimensions".
Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General, on Wednesday said the alliance would continue to support its partners facing pressure from Russia, including Georgia, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina.