Paet: Estonia Supports Georgia's NATO Membership Efforts
Estonia wants to see Georgia become a member of NATO, Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet told his Georgian counterpart Grigol Vashadze at a meeting in Tallinn today.
“It is essential that Georgia continue developing and strengthening democracy, since accession to the alliance depends on Georgia's homework and the implementation of reforms," said Paet, adding that by holding democratic and fair parliamentary and presidential elections in the future, Georgia has a good opportunity to positively influence further integration with the alliance.
From NATO, Estonia expects a clear message on its progress in relations with Georgia at the organization's spring summit in Chicago.
Estonia also supports Georgia's efforts of integration with the EU, Paet said, adding that the readmission and visa facilitation agreements concluded in 2010 have so far been functioning well.
The next step, according to Paet, will be to achieve complete visa freedom between EU and Georgia and to ensure that negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement go smoothly.
During the meeting, Paet also confirmed Estonia's staunch support for Georgia's territorial integrity.
Ingrid Teesalu