Former NATO official hopes Alliance will soon send “positive signal” to Georgia
In an interview with Georgian Radio, Shea noted it was “not surprising” that Ukraine demanded immediate NATO membership amid the ongoing war in the country, but emphasised the Alliance had to remember its obligations towards Georgia, citing the 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration supporting the country’s bid to become a member of NATO. Photo via nato.int
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Jamie Shea, former NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges, expressed hope the Alliance would soon send a “positive signal” to Georgia, stressing “we must remember that we promised NATO membership to two countries and we should never forget Georgia".
In an interview with Georgian Radio, Shea noted it was “not surprising” that Ukraine demanded immediate NATO membership amid the ongoing war in the country, but emphasised the Alliance had to remember its obligations towards Georgia, citing the 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration supporting the country’s bid to become a member of NATO.
I believe we should have said more about Georgia [at the latest NATO Summit in Vilnius]. [...] What the Alliance must do at all costs is to maintain a presence in the Black Sea [region], as the necessary part of providing guarantees to Ukraine and also, to Georgia is to maintain the possibility of sending NATO ships to the Black Sea”, Shea pointed out.
He also highlighted the importance of maintaining the existing relations between NATO and Georgia, including the continuation of NATO exercises.