The President of Georgia continues his meetings in Germany. Today he has met the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and later the leaders of the two countries held a mutual press conference. As it became clear during their face-to-face meeting, the two leaders spoke about the current relations between Georgia and Russia and the conflict zones. One of the major issues was Georgia's integration into the NATO as well. Angela Merkel noted that non-member countries of the alliance must not get involved in the resolution of this issue. She at the same time gave certain recommendations to the President of Georgia what should the country do in order to become a member of the alliance. She said that the day when Georgia and the Ukraine would become the member countries of the NATO is not far.
"Germany supports the course of dynamic reforms in Georgia. We welcome the development of democratic institutes and consider that the opposition should participate in the work of the parliament. I want to state definitely that Germany supports territorial integrity of Georgia and I share your concern referring the recent steps taken by Russia. I personally told this Dimitry Medvedev during our last meeting. I think that the situation must be analyzed and the reaction must follow from all the sides. We must avoid unpredictable steps. The peacekeeping format must not be changed yet. Germany should get involved in the process of negotiations by all means. We are for solving the problem by means of a dialogue but it must not become a never-ending process. We are ready to present this issue as a main issue at Russia-EU Summit. We call Russia for continuing the negotiations. On June 30th at the meeting of the UN non-member states group we will raise this issue by all means. As for Georgia's integration into the NATO, Germany expressed its definite position concerning Georgia's inevitable integration into the NATO. It is not the business of non-member countries who will become the member of the alliance. I promised the President to visit Georgia. Germany will participate in the Georgia-Abkhaz dialogue. Russia must get involved in the conflict resolution process. It's impossible to solve the Abkhazian problem in two or three weeks, but the progress in the process of the conflict resolution must be noticeable. We must not count on getting MAP by December, but it must not be postponed further. Today I briefed the President on the criteria, which Georgia needs to get integrated into the alliance. Georgia's integration into the NATO is not one fine day in remote future", stated the German Chancellor.
Mikheil Saakashvili expressed his gratitude to the German side for the support and asked for their active involvement in the conflict resolution process.
"Germany was one of the initiators of the statement that was made in Bucharest concerning Georgia and the Ukraine. It is a fact and many our partners share this opinion that the existing format does not work and the alternative should be found by diplomatic means. For this we will actively work with everyone - with EU and Russia. I met President Medvedev and was surprised by his different approach and liberal attitude. But if we come out of the reality and put a question what has changed for Georgia we will get an answer that the changes are worse. We are for the continuation of the dialogue and for the good neighboring relations with Russia. We will try to avoid provocations and tense situation. For example the decision of the "Gazprom" is unacceptable for us. The decision about gasification of Abkhazia is against all international norms. We will try to negotiate with Russia to solve this problem and try to relieve tension. We hope that our cooperation with Germany will help us in conflict resolution and open the way to Georgia's integration in the NATO. I am grateful for discussing the Georgian issue so actively on such a high level. We will actively work to fasten the process of the integration. We understand that this is a complex problem but it was already said that Georgia and Ukraine would become the members of the alliance", stated the President of Georgia.
Mikheil Saakashvili spoke about the conflict regions and Georgia's integration into the NATO at meeting of the EU committee of the Bundestag.
"My visit in the country which is one of the leading countries in Europe was of a great importance for me. Germany is involved in the process and we welcome it. This is the best way to receive support from Germany and EU", Mikheil Saakashvili noted at the briefing, which was held together with the Chairman of the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union of the German Bundestag Gunther Krikhbaum.
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"Germany is for the continuation of the dialogue. We share the concern of the Georgian side on sending additional military forces to Abkhazia. We call for Russia not to play with the fire and continue the dialogue. As for the changes developing in Georgia after the Bucharest Summit we consider that the country achieved great success regarding the development of democracy and fighting against corruption. In spite of Russia's resistance, Germany made a clear statement that Georgia would become the member of the NATO, this is the right way for your country", stated Gunter Krikhbaum.
Today the President of Georgia met the US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice. They spoke about the existing situation in Abkhazia and discussed diplomatic and peaceful ways in the conflict resolution process. They as well spoke about the US assistance to Georgia concerning European and world support. It has been decided that Condoleezza Rice will visit Georgia on July 9.
Press Office
of the President of Georgia