Georgian diplomat: Georgia’s joining NATO and neighborly relations with Russia are not connected
“The issue of deploying foreign military bases in Georgia is not on the agenda today. It is not even in the agenda for the future,” announced Soso Tsintsadze, the head of the Diplomatic Academy of Georgia, while speaking during a televised conference called “Ukraine and Georgia: Pros and Cons of Joining NATO” in Kiev on Thursday, February 14, a REGNUM correspondent reports.
The head of the diplomatic academy expressed confidence that Georgia’s entry into NATO and neighborly relations with Russia are not tied to each other in any way, therefore, Georgia needs to enter NATO, while preserving neighborly relations with the Russian Federation. He also informed that joining NATO can help Georgians solving their territorial problems. “Latvia had territorial problems with Russia, too, and the entry into NATO not only didn’t aggravate them, but allowed to accelerate their solution,” the diplomat said.
He also advised Russia “not to be afraid.” “One should not dramatize the situation or look at Russia’s reaction with the eyes wide open, because its anxiety is understandable. We can assure that no country will use the territory of Georgia for an offensive against Russia and we shall not pose threat to the Russians. Russia does not need to be afraid,” Soso Tsintsadze concluded.
10:57 02/15/2008
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