Georgian FM: Georgia fulfilled all requirements for NATO membership, political decision from member states missing

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Wednesday said that Georgia had already done everything within its power to join NATO, stressing that the only remaining obstacle was the absence of political will from NATO member countries.

In her remarks, Botchorishvili argued that Georgia had continuously demonstrated readiness for NATO membership and had taken every step required to fall under the Alliance’s security umbrella.

“Today we are witnessing many developments happening around us that may define the security architecture of our region. Everything that is within our control is being done - and has already been done. Georgia has not lacked anything in its relations with NATO. Georgia has done a great deal to be prepared for NATO membership and to place the NATO security umbrella over this country. Everything has been done - the maximum has been done. The only thing that was missing in this process, and is still missing today, is a political decision from NATO member states”, she said.

The Foreign Minister further noted that the situation had remained unchanged since 2008, when Georgia did not receive the Membership Action Plan (MAP) not because of internal shortcomings, but due to insufficient political will within NATO.

“The only thing that Georgia lacked in 2008 - when we were not granted the Membership Action Plan - was the lack of political will, or perhaps insufficient political will, from NATO member states for Georgia to receive the Membership Action Plan. That was the only issue, and it continued that way”, she noted.

Botchorishvili added that while Georgia was continuing working to create the most favourable environment for accession, the final decision lay entirely with NATO capitals.

“The only thing missing in this process is the relevant decisions and the demonstration of political will from NATO. Whether such will is demonstrated or not is, unfortunately, something we cannot have significant influence over today”, she said.

“Georgia has done the maximum to ensure that this political will would work in Georgia’s favour over the years - no one has done as much. When we speak about contribution today, Georgia has contributed far more to Euro-Atlantic security than we have received”, Botchorishvili concluded.