Grigol Vashadze
After negotiations with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, Vashadze told ANSA news agency that it would be unrealistic to set a date for Georgia's accession to NATO.
"Georgia is ready to join NATO. All the required criteria have been met," Vashadze said. "We are aware of the real reason why we have not joined this organization. It is because some founder countries do not want to annoy Moscow."
"If Georgia enters the alliance, Russia will have to recognize its independence and territorial integrity in all circumstances," the Italian agency quotes the Georgian minister as saying.
Vashadze said that Rome may play an important role in facilitating Georgia's NATO membership, as Moscow takes the opinion of the Italian government seriously.
Georgia Online
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