Georgian foreign office welcomes “support” in NATO Summit Communiqué, commitment to Bucharest decision
The Georgian foreign office on Tuesday welcomed the “support” for Georgia as expressed in the final document of the NATO Vilnius Summit, “both in political and practical dimensions”. Photo: MFA of Georgia
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The Georgian foreign office on Tuesday welcomed the “support” for Georgia as expressed in the final document of the NATO Vilnius Summit, “both in political and practical dimensions”.
In a statement over the Communiqué, which reiterated the decision made at the 2008 Bucharest Summit that “Georgia will become a member of the Alliance”, the Georgian Ministry noted it was “important” to continue working towards implementation of the decision.
“The Georgian side welcomes NATO's firm and unequivocal stance that attempts to limit the foreign and security policy choices of sovereign countries are not allowed”, the statement said.
Taking into account the current complex and difficult security environment, it is especially valuable for the Georgian side [to have] the unwavering support of the alliance for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, as well as the call for Russia to withdraw its occupation forces illegally stationed on the territory of Georgia and to reject the so-called recognition of the independence of the regions of Georgia”, the Georgian foreign office noted.
The Ministry also welcomed NATO's recognition of Georgia's “significant” contribution to global security and confirmed Georgia’s readiness to continue its active involvement in NATO missions and operations.
The Georgian side highly appreciates the decisions made by the Summit in terms of strengthening Georgia's defence capabilities and interoperability, and expresses its gratitude for the important assistance provided by member states within the NATO-Georgia Substantial Package and support measures tailored to Georgia”, the statement said.
The Ministry also stressed Georgia’s support for decisions taken at the Summit in terms of strengthening the security of NATO's “eastern flank” and the Black Sea region, and confirmed the country’s readiness to continue its involvement in the “strategic dialogue” regarding the region.
It also welcomed the agreement to complete Sweden's accession to the bloc as well as decisions regarding Ukraine, and added the Georgian Government “highly appreciates all steps” towards the implementation of the “open door policy” of NATO.
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.
Irakli Beraia, the Chair of the Defence and Security Committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Tuesday said at the ongoing NATO Summit in Vilnius, Georgia was supposed to “get closer” to its “main foreign policy goal” - full integration into the Alliance.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Tuesday said the country “faithfully continues its Euro-Atlantic integration path” in her tweet while commenting on the ongoing NATO Summit.
Victor Dolidze, the head of the Georgian mission to NATO, on Monday said the country’s “ultimate goal” was full membership in the alliance, and noted “it probably matters less by which mechanism it will be ultimately determined - with or without the membership action plan”.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Tuesday said the ongoing NATO Summit in Vilnius had “once again” emphasised that Georgia was enjoying a “strong support” from its partners in the bloc.
Relations between Georgia and Greece, the former's European integration, and security matters in the Black Sea region were discussed on Wednesday in a meeting between the Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and his Greek counterpart Giorgos Gerapetritis.
Prospects of strengthening cooperation between Georgia and Finland and the former's European integration were discussed on Wednesday in a meeting between the Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and his Finnish counterpart Elina Valtonen.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday said the decision of the 2008 NATO Summit that Georgia and Ukraine would “definitely” become members of the bloc “remained in force”, and noted it was “understandable” that this year’s ongoing Summit had hot yielded “specific” outcomes.
Archil Talakvadze, the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday said the ongoing NATO Summit in Vilnius had “confirmed” the country was “on the right track” and would “definitely receive” an invitation for membership “in the future”.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Wednesday said a strong North Atlantic Alliance was “the only path” for Georgia and Ukraine “to enduring peace and freedom”, stressing “the choice is ours and no Russian veto is to be allowed”.
Matthew Miller, the Spokesperson for the United States Department of State, on Wednesday highlighted his Government continued to support Georgia's aspiration towards NATO membership.
Kelly Degnan, the United States Ambassador to Georgia, on Thursday said the message from this week’s NATO Vilnius Summit was “very clear” that the door was “wide open” for eventual membership of Georgia and Ukraine.