Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister meets with Riigikogu commissions
Members of the Riigikogu’s Foreign Affairs and National Defence committees met with Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister David Dondua on Thursday. The meetings discussed travel freedom with the European Union and the prospects of Georgia’s integration with NATO.
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Sven Mikser (SDE) said at the meeting that Georgia had met all the necessary requirements for an agreement over travel without visa with the EU. Speaking of Georgia's integration with the EU, Mikser mentioned the importance of continuing reforms, spokespeople of the Riigikogu said.
Dondua said that travel freedom was a very important signal for the population of Georgia in the integration process with the EU, and that it would be a basis for moving towards EU membership of Georgia. He also said that in relations with NATO, Georgia was striving for membership instead of the present status of a partner country. In order to achieve this, Georgia was ready to increase its defense expenses and improve its defense readiness, Dondua said.
Chairman of the National Defense Committee Marko Mihkelson (IRL) highlighted Georgia's progress in its integration with NATO and confirmed Estonia's continuing strong support of Georgia's moving towards NATO membership.
“In today's security situation, close cooperation with NATO is of extreme importance," Mihkelson said. He emphasized the need to continue defense cooperation before the Warsaw Summit and formulate the goals of the country clearly.
Mihkelson also noted that it was important that all Eastern European countries would be taken seriously in Warsaw. "For many countries it is of critical importance which strategy the Western countries will choose in relations with Russia," Mihkelson said. He added that the allies had a good potential for achieving consensus in Warsaw in order to confront Russia's aggressive policy not only on the territory of the allies, but in all of Europe.
The security situation in the region, Russia's aggressive behavior and propaganda activities, and the situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia were also discussed in the meetings.
Editor: Editor: Dario Cavegn