Georgia to pass 'important test' for democracy

The parliamentary elections in Georgia will be an "important test " for democracy in the country, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on Tuesday at a joint briefing with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.

However, he noted that Georgia has become a model for "good progress" in democratic development.

"You have already made good progress. And I trust that you will continue with your progress, and your reforms, as you approach the parliamentary elections this year," the secretary general said.

He stressed he is waiting for the Georgian president at the NATO summit in Chicago and there allies and partners "will state clearly" how they appreciate the inclusion of Georgia in participation in operations in Afghanistan and progress made ?on this path.

"Dialogue between Georgia and NATO is intense and deep. Georgia will be the largest contributor among NATO non-members in Afghanistan. Georgian servicemen were killed in this operation, and I want to once again offer condolences to their families," he said.

He stressed that cooperation between Georgia and NATO is beyond Afghanistan.

"The alliance members recognize the territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders, do not recognize the separatist regimes in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and do not recognize the elections held there," Rasmussen said.


/Trend/