A seminar Georgia’s NATO Integration in the Context of Security Challenges was held at the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) on April 3.
TSU Rector, Academician Vladimer Papava; State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Davit Bakradze; Deputy Secretary of the National Security Council, Ivliane Khaindrava; Romanian Ambassador to Georgia, Dumitru Badea; politicians and experts, TSU professors and students, representatives of the Parliament, Government, diplomatic corps, international organizations, media and NATO Information Center participated in the event.
“The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is a potential guarantor to ensure Georgia’s state independence and its safe development. Therefore, our aspiration towards NATO is the same as our aspiration towards maintaining our state independence. Naturally, there is a certain opposing force, but I am sure that Georgian people will not give up their independence. Thus, the university will always host similar meetings, seminars, where scientists, experts and politicians will discuss persisting problems and solutions to maintaining Georgia’s state independence; NATO integration will be the most important way for maintaining and strengthening this independence,” TSU Rector, Vladimer Papava said.
“66 years have passed since the foundation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and this seminar is dedicated to the NATO Days in Georgia. Unfortunately, absolutely new challenges were revealed recently and NATO demonstrated that it is adaptable to these new challenges. Cooperation with NATO is extremely important for Georgia. We entered on the path of membership in 2002 and we have all available tools for integration. The Georgian government’s efforts are directed to ensure that the country stands ready for the period, in terms of its commitment to the fundamental principle related to open-door policy, when the alliance accepts Georgia as its member,” State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Davit Bakradze said.
The following topics were discussed at the seminar: 1. Georgia’s NATO integration: at what stage is Georgia’s integration process? 2. Current challenges of Georgia’s NATO integration; 3. Georgia’s relations with Russia against the background of its NATO integration.
The event was dedicated to the NATO Days in Georgia. The seminar was organized by the TSU Faculty of Social and Political Sciences and supported by the embassy of Romania in Georgia.
