GEORGIA HAS NOT SIGNED ANY DOCUMENT
Source: Svobodnaya Gruziya (Tbilisi), May 26, 2006, p. EV

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
May 29, 2006 Monday

Georgian Deputy Prime Minister Georgy Baramidze Confirms That His
Country Seeks To Join Nato

Georgian Deputy Prime Minister Georgy Baramidze confirmed that the
main goal of his country is to join NATO. He noted that Georgia plans
to leave the CIS.

Georgian Deputy Prime Minister Georgy Baramidze confirmed that the
main goal of his country is to join NATO.

At the same time, he noted that “no official decisions have
been made”. He said that President Mikhail Saakashvili asked the
government to examine the advisability of Georgia’s membership in the
CIS. Baramidze made his statement in Dushhanbe at the meeting of the
Council of the CIS Prime Ministers on Thursday.

He said: “Tbilisi hoped that the CIS would make it possible to
solve conflicts and improve economic relations. However, this has
not happened. Our hopes have not been justified, which is why it’s
senseless to remain a member of the CIS.” Tbilisi intends to develop
bilateral contacts with the CIS.

He said: “We have determined our path. We seek to integrate into NATO
and the EU. We are now working according to the individual plan of
partnership with NATO. We are reforming our democratic institutions
in compliance with NATO’s standards.”

On the participation of Georgian servicemen in the anti-terrorist
operation in Iraq, Baramidze said that “Georgia considers it necessary
to support the operation in Iraq. Peace and stability in Iraq coincide
with Georgia’s interests.” (…)

By the way, Baramidze did not sign any document at the meeting. At the
same time, he submitted the Georgian president’s statement regarding
the CIS to the secretariat of the organization.

Georgy Baramidze met with Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan
at the meeting of the Council.

(…)

They expressed satisfaction with the progress of revision of the
Georgian-Armenian border. The commission for the demarcation of
the border will be held in Yerevan in August. On the problems of
Armenian people living in Samtse-Javakhetia, Andranik Margaryan
stated that Armenia is prepared to help Georgia realize the program
for restoration of the infrastructure of this region. The Armenian
prime minister stated that it’s advisable to use local residents and
businessmen in construction works in order to relax tension.