Georgian parliamentary parties signed a joint statement earlier today in which they urged NATO and its member states to continue close partnership with Georgia.
The parties signed the document ahead of a NATO summit on June 14 in Brussels which will not be attended by the alliance’s partner states Georgia and Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has stated that only member states will participate in the 2021 one-day summit.
In the recently signed statement ruling party and opposition MPs stated that NATO membership ‘is a fundamental national security concern of Georgia and is based on undisputed, broad political and public support.’
The parties thanked the alliance and its member states for their ‘substantial political and practical support.’
Georgian Parliament Speaker Kakha Kuchava said that the joint statement is a 'brilliant example' that there are issues which are unanimously approved by all parties in the country. Photo: parliament of Georgia press office.
We call on NATO and its member states to continue to work closely with Georgia as the country prepares to pursue ambitious reforms aimed at consolidating democracy, jointly agreed upon by parliamentary political parties, as well as to provide stronger assistance and share the experience in the fight against growing and hybrid threats,” said the statement.
The parties stated that cooperation for the Black Sea security should be strengthened because ‘Russia's actions threaten regional security and the democracies of the region.’
We hail the ambitious report NATO 2030: United for a New Era and hope that the new strategic concept of the alliance will adequately reflect the recommendations of this report on its open-door policy, NATO's vision for the Black Sea and its role in Euro-Atlantic security,” said the parties.
The parties expressed common commitment to a stronger NATO ‘that works to protect freedom-loving nations, including Georgia, in peace, democracy and prosperity and a hope that the June 14 summit will provide an opportunity for Georgia to make progress on its path towards NATO integration.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili earlier expressed hope that the summit will send ‘clear messages’ to Georgia and Ukraine.