May 25, 2012 - 17:07 AMT
Expert: Chicago summit enables Georgia’s accession to NATO

Chicago summit enabled Georgia’s accession to NATO, Director of RA NAS Institute of Oriental Studies said.

“Such a possibility is declared though no framework for the country’s entry into the Alliance is specified. This turn of events proves increase of NATO’s presence in the South Caucasus region,” Ruben Safrastyan told a press conference on May 25.

The expert further noted that Georgia’s territorial problems question its membership in the organization.

“It’s fact that no country with territorial problems can join NATO, while independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia has been recognized by Russia. Georgia, which deems those disputed territories its integral parts can’t join the Alliance in this format,” the expert said, adding that NATO’s activity will be balanced by Russia.

On May 20-21, Chicago hosted a NATO summit, with current situation in Afghanistan and the country’s future after withdrawal of the Alliance’s forces by 2014 in focus of the meeting.