Tbilisi, Georgia, Nov. 12
By Nana Kirtzkhalia -Trend: Simultaneously with the process of rapprochement of Georgia with Europe, the country's integration into NATO is developing dynamically, Georgian Foreign Minister Maya Panjikidze told journalists on Nov.11.
According to her, in the past six months the NATO-Georgia Commission held several meetings.
"A visit of the North Atlantic Council on June 26-27 was of particular importance. At all the meetings, the NATO allies noted Georgia's progress in its democratic development and Euro-Atlantic integration.
"The Georgian side hopes that the alliance will appreciate this progress and therefore we will take the next concrete step towards the implementation of the decision taken at the Bucharest NATO summit to achieve substantial progress," Panjikidze stressed.
She paid special attention to the relations of Georgia with the United States.
"Georgia continues to deepen strategic relations with the United States of America. During the last period, Georgia was actively working with Congress. In this regard, a visit to the U.S.by a Georgian delegation in July should be noted.
"We hope that in the future our cooperation within the framework of the Charter on strategic partnership will deepen even more in all directions. Currently the focus is on active Georgian- American consultations on bilateral trade relations and an increase of investment. As is known, this is a high level meeting in the framework of the Charter on strategic partnership. Hopefully by the end of the year, we will be able to organise it," the Foreign Minister said.
She noted the past four months have been quite fruitful in terms of relations with European countries as well.
"In particular, at the level of Foreign Ministers about 30 visits were made. Every meeting was focused on three issues: holding free and fair presidential elections in Georgia, the Vilnius summit and territorial integrity and the situation in the occupied territories. Of note European diplomats constantly express support for the territorial integrity of Georgia and the process of European and Euro-Atlantic integration," Panjikidze stressed.