Zurabishvili Says Georgia is Ready for Integration into NATO
Georgia’s President Salome Zurabishvili says the country is ready to join NATO. Zurabishvili made the statement after meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, during her first official visit abroad.
Zurabishvili said that Georgia has already made a decision regarding its Euro-Atlantic aspirations and the path in that regard had been written in the new Constitution of the country.
“The consensus about this issue is very important. I will talk about this with all partners in bilateral formats. I will repeat that Georgia wants and is ready for integration into NATO and that Georgia has carried out all the required reforms to do so,” Zurabishvili stated.
At the joint press-conference with Stoltenberg, the Georgian President said her country is grateful for the support received from the Alliance.
“Georgia's path to NATO integration reflects the choice of the Georgian nation. Our path is very successful, which ensures more security in Georgia, more willingness and the modernization of its defense forces," she said.
Zurabishvili said support of Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, while its two regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia are occupied, is of crucial importance.
She noted that Georgia has proved its commitment and also that it is a very trusted and active partner of NATO.
“Georgia is actually trying to be an exemplary partner. It is a trustworthy partner thanks to its contribution to the NATO peacekeeping missions,” she added.
She also spoke about the need for more security in the Black Sea region.
“It is very important for us that the Black Sea remains a stable and secure area that links us with the EU and our partners,” she said.
While delivering his own speech, Jens Stoltenberg announced he will be coming to Georgia in March.
“I’m looking forward to it. I know that Georgia is a beautiful and hospitable country. I will discuss our partnership with the Georgian government and political leaders. I will also attend a NATO-Georgia training. Our message is that our mutual partnership is getting stronger. This benefits both NATO and Georgia,” Stoltenberg said.
The NATO Secretary General underlined that Georgia, as all sovereign and democratic states, has the right to become integrated into NATO. He repeated that it was upon the alliance members to decide when Georgia joins NATO and that nobody has the right to interfere with the process.
“We will never tolerate big nations, for example Russia, attempting to bring others into its sphere of interests,” the NATO Chief said.
Stoltenberg underlined that the partnership between the Alliance and Georgia brings more stability and a more secure environment.
“I look forward to working with you because Georgia is moving ever closer to NATO membership,” he told the Georgian President.
Zurabishvili visited Brussels on January 21-23. It was her first official visit abroad in the rank of President.
By Thea Morrison
Image source: President’s Press Office