Georgia should join the EU and NATO to boost protection - Saakashvili

Georgia can protect itself only in the framework of international blocs and alliances, and therefore it should strive to join the EU and NATO, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said at a meeting with students and faculty of the Military Academy in Gori on Tuesday.

"We must never confuse who is our friend and who is our enemy. Russia is our big neighbor, and in a long term cooperation with Moscow is beneficial for Georgia. However, we should always remember that Russia is struggling not with a particular political group in Georgia but with the state of Georgia. The existence of a state which is not tied to the chariot of Russia in the region where it always used the principle 'divide et impera' is not advantageous for Moscow"- he stressed.

At the same time Saakashvili noted that Georgia is not only an advocate of world security, but also contributes to it, as evidenced by the Georgian military contingent in Afghanistan.

The President stressed noted the Georgian military contingent is one of the most exemplary in Afghanistan, and this is recognized by all NATO member states.


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