Minister of Defense: Georgia has its own place in NATO's communique - maybe not with Bucharest's direct mention, but NATO supports the open door policy, it is also mentioned

I am one of those people who believe that NATO will be expanded and the record that is in the communique, that is in the Constitution of Georgia, will be provided in due time, - the Minister of Defense, Irakli Chikovani, said after the end of the government meeting.

According to him, NATO supports the open door policy, which means that all states are free to decide which alliance to join.

"The document that was released after the 75th anniversary summit is different in its format and content than any other document that has been released after the NATO summit so far. Georgia has its own place in the document. It is important that there is a clear statement that the territories of Georgia are occupied and the military forces of the Russian Federation must be withdrawn from the territories of Georgia. As for the enlargement policy, there is also a record in this regard, maybe not directly mentioning Bucharest, but NATO notes that every state is free to decide which alliance to join and therefore supports the open door policy, this is also mentioned. Also, the context that the efforts of the closest partners of the alliance, such as Georgia, as an aspirant state, are important to ensure international security. We have all made a lot of sacrifices for this. I am one of those people who believe that NATO will be expanded and the record that is in the communique, that is in the Constitution of Georgia will be provided in due time," said Chikovani.

For information, the Washington summit of NATO in the published declaration calls on Russia to withdraw its forces from the Republic of Moldova and Georgia.

"We also call on Russia to withdraw all its forces from the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, which are stationed there without their consent," the declaration reads.

It should be noted that in the declaration of the Washington summit, there is no record that Georgia will become a member of NATO.