According to James Appathurai, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative, the currently negotiated NATO communiqué will address four main issues of interest to Georgians. James Appathurai told it in an exclusive interview with the Georgian Public Broadcaster.

“Three points would be of interest to Georgians coming out of the Summit and particular of the communiqué. It being negotiated right now. I do not know what the final language will be, but I expect at least three things, maybe even four being of interest to Georgians.

One is a strong message that the open door is still open. Georgians know we have just recently admitted two members, Northern Macedonia and Montenegro. So, we have proven that the door is open.

The second specific language on Georgia, among other things, to reiterate that we still stand by the Bucharest decisions and subsequent decisions that Georgia will become a member. Also, to thank Georgia for everything it does in terms of contributions to international peace and security.

The third point will, I think, reference the Black sea. We know the Black Sea area has seen deteriorating security because of Russia, because of the annexation of Crimea, because of what is happening in Georgia. So, I expect language to show that NATO not only knows about it, but it is doing more about it, including with Georgia and Ukraine.

The fourth, I expect, there would be the overarching thing, recognizing that there is geostrategic competition between the democratic worlds and non-democratic worlds. That is growing. NATO wants to reach out more to like-minded countries, like Georgia, to consult together and to act together, not just for hard security but to defend our values, to defend the systems and standards on which democracy depends, for example, the UN system, when it comes to telecommunications. We have to do together more in this context. So, I think there is a lot in there for Georgians to see and I hope to appreciate,” James Appathurai said.

When answering the question about NATO expansion, Secretary-General Special Representative did not exclude the possibility that new members would join NATO in the next few years.

“I certainly would not exclude this. There are only three countries that are interested in joining NATO: Ukraine, Georgia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Those of three aspirant countries. I do not decide when MAP would be offered, but I think the Membership Action Plan is not the most pressing issue. The most pressing issue is more NATO in Georgia and more Georgia in NATO. We have and will have a number of ideas for what more we can do together,” Appathurai declared.

He also focused on the participation of Georgia in NATO missions.

“The mission to Afganistan is coming to an end. Georgia has demonstrated that it is a security contributor. Also, Georgia has improved its armed forces and interoperability, the ability to work with other armed forces, in particular with NATO. We are looking for ways not to lose that, the political engagement and the practical engagement that comes with it. I can not predict what will happen in terms of the Membership Action Plan. That is political. I can help to support ensuring that we get closer to each other. And then when a politics will arrive, Membership Action Plan and membership comes, there will be no obstacles,” Appathurai added.