“The context of the NATO Liaison Office’s statement is somewhat unclear. Georgia has done everything it could, yet an entire generation has grown up in this environment, and all we receive in response are words,” said Shalva Papuashvili, Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia.

According to Papuashvili, no one can safeguard the country’s security with words alone.

“The NATO Liaison Office’s statement lacks clarity. Today, we have a generation that was not even born when it was announced at the Bucharest Summit in 2008 that Georgia would become a NATO member. Meanwhile, an entire generation has grown up hearing promises but seeing little action. Despite Georgia demonstrating its reliability as a partner, showing everything it could, NATO has yet to deliver concrete steps. While NATO member states often refrained from deploying combat missions, Georgia was among the largest contributors in Afghanistan, deploying approximately 1,000 to 1,500 soldiers, comparable to a substantial NATO contingent. Whereas, Baltic countries contributed only 30 to 40 troops, primarily stationed at headquarters.

Everything Georgia has done was aimed at demonstrating both our dependable partnership and the importance of Georgia to NATO, as well as NATO’s significance to Georgia. We have shown our commitment, but in return, all we receive are words and statements from the NATO Liaison Office. While the statement is positive, no one can secure our country’s safety through words alone. We’ve witnessed this in Ukraine, where many statements have been made, but ultimately, everyone understands that NATO’s nuclear umbrella remains the most effective form of protection, not mere words from NATO offices.

Georgia has done everything possible and has shown its dedication. Yet, an entire generation has grown up amid unfulfilled promises, and we are still waiting for a Membership Action Plan (MAP) or any decisive, action-oriented steps that would prove there are real, effective commitments behind these words,” emphasised Papuashvili.

The NATO Liaison Office in Georgia stated on Monday, saying, “NATO remains committed to the decisions taken at the 2008 Bucharest Summit and subsequent summits: Georgia will become a member of NATO.”