TV says France “for the first time” backs Georgia’s drive to join NATO
Channel 1, Tbilisi
23 Mar 06
[Presenter] France is ready to support Georgian membership of
NATO. Official Paris, whose voice is decisive for Georgia, stated its
readiness for cooperation during meetings with a Georgian delegation
led by the parliament speaker. Nino Burjanadze has held successful
meetings in Paris.
[Correspondent] For the first time, support for Georgian membership of
NATO has been heard from the French political rostrum. Official
Paris, which in general sides with Russia at international forums, has
now spoken in support of Georgia.
A statement about NATO membership was made by the president of the
French Senate, Christian Poncelet, after his meeting with Nino
Burjanadze.
[Poncelet, in French, with Georgian translation superimposed] As you
know, on the initiative of the French Senate, a meeting has been held
between the chairs of the Georgian, Armenian and Azerbaijani
parliaments. The conflicts in this region should be settled
peacefully.
[Burjanadze] Mr Poncelet promised to support us on very important
issues such as France getting actively involved in the peaceful
settlement of conflicts and Georgia’s striving for the development of
democratic processes. We are sure that we will get such support.
[Correspondent] This is the first time France has publicly supported
Georgian membership of NATO. France has a decisive say in NATO, so its
support is crucial.
[Davit Bakradze, chairman of the Georgian parliamentary committee for
European integration] Georgia has indeed made significant progress on
this path.
Yet, when this is stated officially by France, a country that has a
decisive say on the issue of European countries joining NATO, we
naturally see it as an important statement and assurance.
[Passage omitted]