NATO is on the Horizon, the Closer We Come the Farther it Gets

“We acknowledge and commend Georgia’s significant contributions to NATO operations, highlighting the country’s steadfast commitment and demonstrated capability in contributing to Euro-Atlantic security. The recent political agreement is welcomed, and we express our full support for its comprehensive implementation. This agreement is a crucial step towards initiating important reforms, empowering Georgia, an aspirant country, to ready itself for NATO membership. We are committed to maximizing the NATO-Georgia Commission and the annual national program to elevate political dialogue and cooperation. Notably, we appreciate Georgia’s substantial progress in implementing and continuing reforms, which have significantly bolstered its defense capabilities. The Alliance’s relationship with Georgia encompasses practical tools aimed at facilitating eventual membership.

Addressing the security challenges in the Black Sea region due to Russia’s destabilizing activities, we appreciate the steps taken to implement the updated NATO-Georgia Essential Package. Despite our acknowledgment and expressed support, we understand that some may find NATO’s backing for Georgia to be insufficient or even discouraging.

However, the complexities hindering Georgia’s integration into NATO are influenced by a combination of internal and external factors:

1. Occupied Territories: A significant portion (20%) of Georgia is occupied by Russia, putting the country in a de facto state of war. The presence of the occupying army further complicates the situation.
2. Energy Dependencies: Central European countries, notably Germany and France, have vital energy dependencies on Russia. As such, Georgia’s integration into NATO may not align with their strategic interests.
3. Geopolitical Considerations: Central European states may not perceive vital geopolitical and economic interests in the Caucasus, making Georgia’s NATO integration less urgent from their perspective.
4. Shift in U.S. Policy: The United States’ priorities in the region have shifted, with a more passive stance towards Russia under the Biden administration. This dynamic affects NATO’s approach to Georgia.

These objective reasons, coupled with internal challenges, make the path to NATO integration challenging for Georgia. The hybrid nature of the Georgian Dream government adds another layer of complexity. While Georgia fulfills general foreign obligations, the government’s passive stance on certain critical issues, such as protecting citizens in the occupation zone and strategic infrastructure projects, raises concerns. The lack of protest against Russia’s actions, including the announcement of a new tunnel in the Caucasus, indicates a level of caution that may hinder Georgia’s progress.

Moreover, the absence of an invitation to the NATO Summit in Brussels in 2021 raises questions about the current dynamics of the NATO + Georgia relationship. Georgia’s considerable contributions to the ISAF RMS mission in Afghanistan, with a significant loss of life, have not garnered the expected recognition. This lack of acknowledgment could understandably lead to dissatisfaction within Georgia regarding NATO’s apparent ungratefulness.

While these challenges are formidable, we hope for continued diplomatic efforts and dialogue to overcome them and reinforce the NATO-Georgia partnership.”