Mikheil Saakashvili

Dear Mr. Secretary General!

I have an honor to greet you and every member and employee of the North Atlantic Council.

Today each of you is our guest.

We have been looking forward to this visit for a long time and we are very glad to host you in Tbilisi.

It is great honor for me to greet you on behalf of the Georgian people here at this very important session indeed.

I want to thank each of you.

I express my gratitude for your great attempt, for your devotion, readiness and assistance you have expressed towards Georgia.

Today we definitely need an intensive dialogue.

We are at very a important stage of our history right now.

In this very critical period it is very important for the region, as well as for Europe and the whole world.

Your message is very important for our people. At the same time it is a signal for the world that Georgia does not stand alone.

Your visit is crucial for several points of view.

First of all existing, firm and strong relations between the NATO and Georgia must strengthen more. We are proud of the history of our cooperation, because we have put our share in it.

Besides this alliance has an important mission - this is an alliance that is based on common principles, peace principles.

We must create stronger relations, which is the most important aspect for the future generations.

We have much in common, this is why we have to act together. Our relations do not threaten anyone.

We all must live in more secure and acceptable world.

I am sure that in these two days we will work seriously in order to put Georgia on the right pass on its way to the NATO integration. This is our way, this is the way to our future.

We are moving in a concrete direction and I want to publicly welcome the creation of the NATO-Georgian Commission. This commission will help us in our cooperation. We must act jointly, to get closer to each other.

I hope that we will discuss various issues connected with the complete fulfillment of the six-paragraph agreement. We have to assist in the continuation of the peace talks that will really arrange the problems and will let us towards peaceful integration of Georgia.

You know that a month ago an occupation act was undertaken in Georgia, Russian federation annexed one part of our country.

A lot of personal tragedies took place during this war and I want to remember every person from the both sides that became victims of this tragedy.

One thing is clear for everyone - we did not initiate this intervention.

We can discuss details referring to this issue, but I want to underline, there are evidences indicating who the aggressor was during this tragedy.

Georgia was invaded by the Russian forces during the early morning hours of August 7th and this is the fact, which even the Russian Federation does no longer dispute.

Our neighbor undertook an act of aggression towards Georgia and the most regretful fact is that, it happened in the beginning of 21 century.

Based on the expertise that was carried out after the intervention, we can say that Russia sent about 40 000 soldiers in order to change the map of Europe.

At present 3 000 heavy armored vehicles are on the different territories of Georgia.

Russia's goal was to topple Georgia's democratically elected government and to hinder the country's integration to the western institutions.

About 500 people died, the majority are civilians. according to the UN data 200 000 people are internally displaced.

Russia hit our transportation, civic and other infrastructures, parks and forests.

Russia was now trying to legalize results of ethnic cleansing, despite overwhelming force, Georgia managed to withstand the aggression.

Together with the international commonwealth we are trying to arrange these problems. They stand with us and speak in one voice.

Georgians are ready to work hard for strengthening democracy, that will make our country stronger.

We have already started the reconstruction process and it indicates the Georgian people's aspirations to live in a free and democratic country.

We must try our best to fight against the totalitarian regime.

I have addressed the parliament today, we are going to carry our new democratic reforms.

These are serious reforms in the Judiciary system. These are rather important reforms, for making Georgian society more contemporary.

Georgians have ability to handle problems.

We have strong partners in the west and especially in NATO. We have received a considerable assistance from west, humanitarian as well other assistance.

Many world leaders came to Georgia, stood with the Georgian people in that very tough period - during Russian occupation. There was a threat of an attack towards Tbilisi.

The international commonwealth offered assistance to Georgia and if not that, we would have to deal with rather serious problems.

Our victory lies in those ideals that the Georgian people shares and we reached success by being together.

Once again I want to thank all of you for coming to Georgia.

I hope we will have an interesting discussion.

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer

Thank you very much dear Mr. President!

First of all I want to thank you for your greeting speech.

This is the first session of NAC which is being held in Georgia, Tbilisi.

The council understands well enough and we know pretty well that we have come to Georgia in this very important period - right after the August conflict.

The position of NATO was very clear for everyone and we know that Russia used disproportionate force against Georgia.

By the mediation of President Sarkozy a six-point accord was developed, which is considered as a very important document in EU.

NATO supported this plan as well.

Despite a tough stage and difficult period we hope that Georgia will continue its way to democratic reforms. This is very crucial for the country on its way to NATO integration.

Dear colleagues!

The relations between NATO and Georgia developed rather seriously. This was productive for both sides - for Georgia and for NATO.

Since 1994 when Georgia signed the PFP plan, Georgia and NATO started cooperation, and today we are going to sign the document on the creation of NATO-Georgia Commission, our relations will deepen.

We hope that in these two days we will have a very important discussion.

As you have mentioned Dear Mr. President, we have a deeper discussion on the security issues.

This will enable us to think how to strengthen partnership relations between Georgia and NATO.

I once again want to thank you for your speech.

Thank you for being with us!

Communications Office
of the President of Georgia