Georgia in NATO, Done Deal?
So says, or very close to saying, the Georgian embassy in the U.S. Via e-mail from Natia Zambakhidze of the Embassy of Georgia:
Georgia “Will Become a Member of NATO,” Declares NATO As Lisbon Summit Concludes
The Government of Georgia welcomes the NATO Lisbon Communiqué as a definitive step forward in the country’s integration into the Alliance. NATO has made a clear and unambiguous commitment to Georgia’s path towards membership. “At the 2008 Bucharest Summit we agreed that Georgia will become a member of NATO and we reaffirm all elements of that decision, as well as subsequent decisions,”* the Communiqué states.
The Government also is pleased that NATO, while pursuing improved ties with Russia, refuses to compromise on Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “We reiterate our continued support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders,” the Communiqué notes. This message also was delivered unambiguously by United States President Barack Obama.
The Government of Georgia welcomes NATO’s clarion call for Russia to finally implement the 2008 ceasefire agreements. “On this firm basis, we urge Russia to meet its commitments with respect to Georgia, as mediated by the European Union on 12 August and 8 September 2008,” the Communiqué states, adding. “We continue to call on Russia to reverse its recognition of the South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions of Georgia as independent states.”
The Lisbon Communiqué takes note as well of Georgia’s continued and successful reforms: “We strongly encourage and actively support Georgia’s continued implementation of all necessary reforms, particularly democratic, electoral and judicial reforms, as well as security and defense sector reforms, in order to advance its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.”
Georgia’s vital role as a NATO partner also is underscored by the Lisbon Communiqué, which highlights Georgia’s essential contributions in Afghanistan. As did President Obama, the Alliance noted that Georgia is one of the highest per-capita contributors in troop numbers there—making clear that Georgia is as much a provider as a consumer of NATO security.*
*Italicized emphasis by SWJ.
My personal opinion – this is a very good thing. Russia’s opinion – that is another matter.
