Georgia, Tbilisi, July 5 /Trend, N.Kirtskhalia/
Georgia has the right to join NATO and nobody can dictate terms to it, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said to a joint briefing with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili in Tbilisi on July 5.
She said the U.S. does not agree with dividing the country into spheres of influence and thus recognizes the right of "any state to free choice".
"Nobody has the right to order another country what to do. Georgia is a free country with freedom of choice. Its choice is NATO, and if all the requirements of the organization are implemented, it will become a member," Clinton said.
Secretary of State thanked Georgia for its participation in the Afghan anti-terrorist operation.
"The Georgian military with our Marines in the Helmand implement duty with honor, making a significant contribution to combating international terrorism. We appreciate this, and thank the Georgian people for their help in this fight," she said.
"A big history connects us with Georgia, and we had great impression on the Rose Revolution, which corresponded to our ideals, Georgia became closer to us, and this closeness is based on common ideals, we are a partner of Georgia," Clinton said.