Logo Polskiego Radia

Georgia’s NATO aspirations supported at summit in Warsaw

PR dla Zagranicy
Paweł Kononczuk 09.07.2016 11:26
NATO foreign ministers have expressed support for Georgia's hopes of joining the Alliance during a summit of the organisation in Warsaw.
Polish Foreign Affairs Minister Witold Waszczykowski and Georgian Mikheil Janelidze. Photo: PAP/Paweł SupernakPolish Foreign Affairs Minister Witold Waszczykowski and Georgian Mikheil Janelidze. Photo: PAP/Paweł Supernak

After the session, the head of the Polish Foreign Ministry’s press office, Rafał Sobczak, told PAP that the meeting focused on the prospects of Georgia's membership in the North Atlantic Alliance and that all delegations present supported Georgia's aspirations.

During the session, Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze assured the delegates that his country is determined to become a member, while NATO ministers reaffirmed decisions on Georgia’s NATO membership prospects.

Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski earlier expressed support for Georgia’s aspirations at a press conference: "We will be arguing for Georgia to become a NATO member as soon as possible, because this has been the policy of all Polish governments for many, many years."

In a joint NATO-Georgia declaration issued after the session, NATO ministers reaffirmed full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its borders recognized by the international community and called on Russia to withdraw a decision to recognize the statehood of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the breakaway Georgian republics. They also expressed appreciation for Georgia’s participation in NATO-led missions.

They also decided on new steps to enhance cooperation and to help strengthen Georgia’s defence capabilities, interoperability and resistance to attack, which means increased support for training, including the possibility of establishing a trust fund. The Allies also plan to provide support for Georgia’s development in air defence and reconnaissance from the air. NATO and Georgia want to increase focus on security in the Black Sea region.

Georgia’s NATO membership has been on the table since the NATO summit in 2008, but has been strongly opposed by Russia.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg later said that foreign ministers met in the NATO-Georgia Commission "to reiterate our strong political and practical support."

"Our efforts aim to strengthen Georgia’s defence capabilities, and help the country progress in the preparations towards membership," he added.

(mol/pk)

Source: PAP/NATO

Print
Copyright © Polskie Radio S.A About Us Contact Us