NATO: finding solutions to conflicts in Caucasus vital for security of entire Euro-Atlantic region

PanARMENIAN.Net - "Finding solutions to the conflicts here in Georgia and the wider Caucasus region is vital for the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic region," NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said at a meeting with the students of Tbilisi State University October 4.



"NATO has repeatedly expressed its support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and its other Partner countries in the Caucasus. But the mandate and expertise to try and resolve the conflicts in this region rest with the OSCE and the UN, not with NATO. And the Alliance does not seek stronger involvement. The Georgian Government has made a number of concrete proposals to build confidence. It has also committed itself repeatedly to peaceful, negotiated solutions, including in documents which it has signed with NATO. The NATO Allies, and I myself, are of the view that the Georgian Government must stick to this commitment - and that the other parties concerned should also negotiate in good faith and work towards a peaceful resolution of these conflicts. There are no alternatives," he said.



"At the political level, through our Intensified Dialogue, we discuss Georgia's aspirations for further Euro-Atlantic integration. I want to stress that there is no timeline for our Intensified Dialogue. More than ever before, NATO is a performance-based organization, which is making very serious demands of its members. And further progress in our relationship will depend on Georgia being able to demonstrate that it is capable of meeting those commitments," he said.