Tbilisi, Georgia, May 1
By Nana Kirtzkhalia - Trend:
NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, James Appathurai responded to a statement by Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania on the need to deploy U.S. missile defense systems in Georgia.
"NATO deputy secretary general promised he will pass this message to allies. It is necessary to note that NATO does not have its own defense systems, while the allies have similar systems. The alliance can always provide support in this, as it has done in Turkey, during the Syrian conflict. Minister Alasania's message was clear and I am sure it will be reviewed at NATO," Appathurai said.
Earlier, during the 'Toward a Europe Whole and Free' conference held at the Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C., Irakli Alasania urged the alliance to deploy U.S. defense systems in Georgia, as well as in other aspirant countries of the alliance.
Alasania believes that this measure is an appropriate response to Russia's actions in Ukraine.
The defense minister said, "At this stage, the unity between the EU and NATO and the U.S. leadership are important for Georgia."
Translated by E.A.
Edited by C.N.