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NATO Ministers Seek To Keep Door Open To Ukraine, Georgia

NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (right) with Georgian Defense Minister Vasil Sikharulidze in Krakow.

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February 20, 2009

(RFE/RL) -- Talks by NATO defense ministers at an informal gathering in Poland have focused on ways to keep alive the membership hopes of two former Soviet republics -- Ukraine and Georgia.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Yury Yekhanurov, speaking to reporters in Krakow, pleaded for NATO to keep its door open to new members.

"We feel that it is extremely important for all of us that we maintain the principle of NATO's open door, which gives each separate country not only a chance to guarantee its security within the network of the collective security system but -- what is even more important -- divide mutual responsibility for its formation and guarantee," Yekhanurov said.

Today’s talks included meetings of the NATO-Ukraine Commission and the NATO-Georgia Commission. The commissions include defense ministers from NATO’s 26 members, as well as their counterparts from Kyiv and Tbilisi.

NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, speaking before talks at the NATO-Ukraine Commission, addressed Kyiv’s bid to join NATO.

"We have today a timely opportunity to review Ukraine's defense and security sector reform efforts and consider ways in which the alliance can continue to support its preparations for NATO membership," de Hoop Scheffer said.

"NATO remains ready to assist Ukraine in undertaking comprehensive reforms in its defense and security structures. We are determined to continue to develop this strategic partnership," he added.

Aftermath Of August War

During talks at the NATO-Georgia Commission, Georgian officials and NATO defense ministers discussed the aftermath of the war last August between Georgia and Russia. Those talks also focused on NATO's recovery assistance to Georgia, as well as on the issue of Russian military bases on Georgian territory.

It is crystal clear that we do not agree with Russia there. We fundamentally disagree. Does that mean that this measured reengagement with Russia should stop for that reason?

In the face of Russian opposition to membership for Kyiv and Tbilisi, NATO so far has held back on offering the two countries formal invitations to join the alliance. Moscow sees NATO’s eastward expansion as an encroachment in what it considers its historic sphere of influence.

However, NATO has offered to increase military and political cooperation to help both Kyiv and Tbilisi achieve their goal of eventual membership.

De Hoop Scheffer noted that Russia and NATO continue to be at odds over issues linked to the war between Georgia and Russia. But de Hoop Scheffer says those differences will not stop NATO from continuing to meet with Russian officials under the auspices of the NATO-Russia Council.

"We've seen the recognition [by Moscow] of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. We see the intention of establishing [Russian] bases there. We still have the problems of the access to Abkhazia and South Ossetia -- part of Georgia, by the way. Let me reiterate those principles. And it is crystal clear that we do not agree with Russia there. We fundamentally disagree," de Hoop Scheffer said.

"We have a continuing security relationship with Georgia," U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said in Krakow.

"Does that mean that this measured reengagement with Russia should stop for that reason? There my answer is, 'No it should not.' Because we should use the NATO-Russia Council not only as a fair weather institution, but also to discuss these things where we fundamentally disagree," he added.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates told journalists that more work needs to be done to overcome divisions within Ukraine over its NATO membership bid.

"There needs to be greater unanimity of view in the Ukrainian government itself about the next steps, not to mention the resources for modernization of Ukraine's military," Gates said.

'Ongoing Relationship'

Gates also said both the United States and NATO would continue to expand cooperation with Georgia, despite opposition from Moscow.

"We have a continuing security relationship with Georgia. We are involved in training. We are involved in military reform in Georgia," Gates said. "So this is an ongoing relationship. And it is a relationship that we are pursuing both bilaterally and within the framework of our NATO allies."

However, German Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung expressed skepticism that Ukraine and Georgia are ready to join NATO. He said he does not see conditions in either country that would justify the launching of NATO Membership Action Plans, formal paths toward inclusion in the alliance.

NATO defense ministers also discussed the issue of reforming the alliance.

NATO has faced criticism that it could be losing its relevance in a world that is vastly different from the post-World War II and Cold War reality when it was created 60 years ago. De Hoop Scheffer has been calling for a new "strategic concept" that would help NATO face 21st-century threats of terrorism, climate change, and cyberattacks.

The NATO gathering is considered an unofficial meeting. That allows the ministers to gather behind closed doors and craft the agenda for an upcoming summit of NATO heads of state.

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Comments

by: Nikola Kizikeli from: Foothills of Allps

February 21, 2009 06:50

There are many questions about the sincerity of the more-than-strange behavior and unselfishneness of political leaders from several European States trying to lobby Russian interests in NATO and other political entities of the so-called "Old Continent." Refusing the MAP membership plan to Georgia in 2008 turned into the tragedy of war for this small Caucasus nation with an uncivilized giant - Russia which is trying to expend its borders (or at the very least its influence) to the South by using unethical methods. When will Europe feel its responsibility for the tragic events which unfolded in Georgia? I have the strange feeling that the answer is never. History has witnessed this scenario once before in 1921, when Europe by its manicured political "politeness" accompliced the hungry, rude tribes of the Russian Red Army to invade Georgia. When, Angela Merkel(together with French President Sarkozy) closed the MAP door to Georgia, some political analysts have accepted this as a dramatic mistake that has brought tragic consequences. But, now in 2009, when having the example of the 2008 Russia - Georgia War, the German Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung has repeated the same "mistake" once more and expressed skepticism that Ukraine and Georgia are ready to join NATO. He said he does not see the conditions in either country that would justify the launching of NATO Membership Action Plans, the formal paths toward the inclusion of these states into the alliance. To me this is already not accidental! This already represents a position, a political view, that as unfortunate as it may seem, has been established through the centuries. And these statements are coming from the German state which is supposed and considered to be a historical ally of Georgia... As a result, one has to ask, is Germany an ally of Georgia in real?! This is a shame and a part of dirty politics... As a proof of my concern is the fact that one very high ranking German politician who was one of the leading figures in European politics(decision maker) became an official of a Russin energy corporation(GazProm) recently...

by: ZviadKavteli from: Ann Arbor, MI, USA

February 22, 2009 02:25

Russian invasion and continued occupation of Georgia and the Western reaction to the Russian aggression domonstrates that the West is impotent in the face of a brutal gangster-state with nuclear capacity. The message is clear: Russia can do anything it wants beyond its borders (Georgian South Ossetia and Abkhazia) and within its own borders (Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan, dozens of murdered journalists and critics, tens of thousands killed Chechen civilians). This message is particularly clear to former Soviet states that mistrust Russia, yet fear it. They know from their own experience how cruel Russia. Kyrgyzstan has essentially announced that Moscow is its master. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Belarus try not lose their face, but feel the immense pressure from Russia. Georgia and Ukraine are the only exceptions who dare to stand up to Russian domination. This is not about "influence" as Russia portrays it. This is about domination and master-slave relationship.
The West must face and confront the reality and move from talking to acting as soon as possible. Failure to act will result in very costly political and economic consequences. When Russia reestablishes its domination in post-Soviet countries, Kremlin will own twice as much energy resources and 50% more human lives.

by: Glenn from: Italy

February 23, 2009 10:04

It's very clear that Abkhazia is NOT part of Georgia. The west wants great dictator Stalin's border.

Lets read 'DECLARATION OF THE REVOLUTIONARY COMMITTEE OF THE SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA on Independence of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Abkhazia. 21 May 1921'

...the Revolutionary Committee of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia recognizes and welcomes the establishment of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Abkhazia and believes that the relations between the Georgian SSR and the Abkhazian SSR will be decided at the first Congress of the workers and peasants of Abkhazia, as well as of Georgia.

From 1921 to 1931 Abkhazia was a sovereign republic with a relationship to Georgia that was based on a union treaty, communist party organizational units of Abkhazia were subordinated to Georgia. This was the reason in 1931 (under pressure from Stalin) for Abkhazia to be incorporated forcibly as an autonomous republic within the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. Vladislav Ardzinba, first president of Abkhazia, stated: “In 1931 Abkhazia was transformed into an autonomous republic within the Georgian SSR. Seemingly it was the only republic whose political status changed under pressure from Stalin not upwards but downwards”.

NATO (the west) must see this FACT!

by: Hutsul from: Sacramento, CA

February 25, 2009 06:21

Western European leaders (and Barack Obama) are appeasers at heart. That is, they lack courage and moral clarity when it comes to Russian aggression.

by: Giorgi from: New York

February 25, 2009 07:26

to Glenn: Abkhazia is not part of georgia?
really, maybe it's part of Turkey? Russia?
maybe it was part of the Roman empire, and
should now be part of Italy? Abkhazia has been GEORGIA for over two millennia, there has been Georgian kings who were from Abkhazia (part of GEORGIA) books written in old georgian from the coastal region aka. Abkhazia. But don't take my word for it check any medieval map of the region and see for yourself. And most importantly get your facts straight before you start commenting about stuff you know nothing about.