Lieutenant General Hodges: NATO Should Invite Georgia to Alliance

Lieutenant General Frederick Benjamin Hodges III, a retired United States Army officer who served as commanding general of US Army Europe (USAREUR), says that NATO should invite Georgia to the Alliance during the next summit.

In his interview with Voice of America, Hodges said the fact that 20% of Georgia is occupied by Russia should not hinder the process of Georgia’s integration with NATO.

“Georgia should be an Alliance member because it can improve the situation in terms of security. In addition, Georgia has done everything that it was required to do. It does not need to prove anything else,” he said.

The General also spoke about Georgia’s role in global security and the sacrifice of the Georgian soldiers in the peacekeeping missions.

“Everyone wants to fight with Georgians because they are so good. So they have nothing to prove. Now, it's the turn of the Alliance to take the next step and invite Georgia to be a NATO member,” he added.

Hodges said Georgia will become a member of NATO, but until this day comes, "we should think how to engage Georgia more in the efforts of the Black Sea."

“America plans to build a joint aerodrome in Georgia. Nobody has the expectation that Georgia will have big and powerful maritime forces in the Black Sea. This is about joint exercises, exchange of information, air and land defense capabilities aimed at protecting Georgian citizens. These three issues have direct influence not only on Georgia but also on the Alliance," the General said.

By Thea Morrison