Vice-Premier, Defense Minister of Russia Sergey Ivanov expressed extreme concern over the relations between Georgia and the NATO at today's informal meeting of the Russia-NATO Council. The Russian MOD head compared the bloc's decision to expand cooperation with Tbilisi with "rolling back to the Cold War policy," which may have negative consequences for stability in the Caucasus. He reported Russia is considering the opportunity to send additional troops to the border with Georgia to "secure Russia in case of Georgia joining the NATO."

At the meeting of FMs of NATO states in New York September 21, 2006 Alliance Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer announced the decision to activate dialogue with Georgia.


Officials say this will not guarantee membership to Tbilisi, but means that 26 member-states will actively assist the Caucasian state in reforms, necessary for accession, reports RBC.