Vilnius Summit Communiqué reiterates support to Georgia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, appreciates country’s contributions to NATO
The decision of the 2008 Bucharest Summit noting that Georgia will become a member of the Alliance with the Membership Action Plan as an integral part of the process was also reiterated in the Communiqué, reaffirming “all elements of that decision, as well as subsequent decisions”. Photo via nato.int
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NATO Vilnius Summit Communiqué, issued by the Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council, on Tuesday reiterated their support to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders and “highly appreciated” Georgia’s substantial contributions to NATO operations.
We highly appreciate Georgia’s substantial contributions to NATO operations, which demonstrate its commitment and capability to contribute to Euro-Atlantic security. We remain committed to making full use of the NATO-Georgia Commission and the Annual National Programme in deepening political dialogue and practical cooperation with Georgia”, the Communiqué said.
It was noted that the Alliance stood “firm” in its support for Georgia’s “right to decide its own future and foreign policy course free from outside interference”, while calling on Russia to withdraw its forces stationed in Georgia without the country’s consent.
We further call on Russia to reverse its recognition of the Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions of Georgia, to end the militarisation of these regions and continued attempts to forcibly separate them from the rest of Georgia through the construction of border-like obstacles, and to cease the human rights violations and abuses, including arbitrary detentions, and harassments of Georgian citizens”, it was added.
The decision of the 2008 Bucharest Summit noting that Georgia will become a member of the Alliance with the Membership Action Plan as an integral part of the process was also reiterated in the Communiqué, reaffirming “all elements of that decision, as well as subsequent decisions”.
We welcome the progress made in implementing the enhanced Substantial NATO-Georgia Package, including Crisis Management, Cyber Security, Military Engineering, and Secure Communications, as well as new initiatives in the areas of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence and Training Facilities”, it was noted in the official statement.
It was also stressed that Georgia “must make progress on reforms, including key democratic reforms” and make “best use” of the NATO-Georgia Annual National Programme to advance its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.