PM: We Believe Georgia Will Become EU, NATO Member

Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze says he believes that Georgia will become a member of the European Union and NATO.

The PM made the statement in response to a German journalist's question during the joint press-conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is on a two-day visit to Georgia.

Bakhtadze added that Georgia is a peace-oriented country which takes predictable and consistent steps to achieve its goal to become a member of the EU and NATO.

“We are part of the European civilization and we have contributed to the formation of these European values. Therefore, of course we believe that Georgia will become a member of the EU and NATO,” the PM said.

Bakhtadze underlined that the government will continue implementation of successful reforms that will take Georgia closer to the EU and NATO.

Angela Merkel arrived in Georgia on August 23. She had a face-to-face and an extended format meeting with Bakhtadze.

The relationship between the two countries, Georgia's achievements on the path of European and Euro-Atlantic integration and the importance of German support in this process were the key topics of the meetings.

Merkel expressed Germany’s support to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The German Chancellor will leave Georgia this evening.

By Thea Morrison