Existence of separatist regions hinders Georgia's NATO integration - PM

The presence of separatist regions impedes Georgia's accession into NATO, Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili believes. He made this statement to journalists in Tbilisi before the opening of the 83rd Rose Roth Seminar with the support of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly

"This seminar is being held in Georgia for the fourth time. Georgia has done a lot in this direction. We are absolutely ready to join NATO, although certain processes prevent it. I think because of our activity we can overcome this obstacle by becoming member of the Alliance," Ivanishvili said.

The 83rd Rose Roth Seminar entitled 'South Caucasus: geopolitical developments, the Euro-Atlantic integration and domestic challenges' kicked off today in Tbilisi with the organisational support of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

The seminar will discuss Georgian-Russian relations, the integration of the South Caucasus countries into the Euro-Atlantic structures, a programme of reforms planned in Georgia and regional issues.

The seminar will end on May 1.

Large scale military action was launched in South Ossetia in Georgia on August 8, 2008.
Later, Russian troops occupied Tskhinvali and expelled the Georgian military. Russia recognised the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in late August. Tbilisi ended diplomatic relations with Moscow in response and has declared the two unrecognised republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occupied territories.


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