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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USNATO 000564
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/RPM
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO PBTS MOPS PINS GG AF
SUBJECT: CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT OF THE NATO-GEORGIA COMMISSION
USNATO 00000564 001.2 OF 002
1. (U) Following the December 3 meeting of the NATO-Georgia
Commission (NGC) at the level of Foreign Ministers, NATO
Secretary General Rasmussen -- in his role as Chairman of the
NGC -- issued the following Chairman's Statement:
BEGIN TEXT:
03 Dec. 2009
Chairman's Statement
Meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission at the level of
Foreign Ministers held at NATO Headquarters, Brussels, on 3
December 2009
The NATO-Georgia Commission (NGC) at the level of Foreign
Ministers met in Brussels today to discuss the process of
reforms within Georgia's Annual National Programme and the
course for Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration process. NGC
Ministers reaffirmed the central role of the NATO-Georgia
Commission and the Annual National Programme in carrying out
the Bucharest and Strasbourg/Kehl decisions. They expressed
their commitment to continue strengthening dialogue and
practical cooperation at all levels of the NATO-Georgia
relationship.
NATO Ministers welcomed the progress Georgia showed in a
number of areas in implementing its Annual National Programme
(ANP) goals, welcomed the smooth transition from the
Individual Partnership Action Plan to the ANP, and commended
Georgia for the effective intra-governmental process
coordinating reforms. NATO Ministers welcomed the initiation
of dialogue regarding electoral and constitutional reforms in
Georgia. At the same time, they noted that much work remains
to be done to implement reforms, and that the Georgian
Government, as well as opposition forces, must demonstrate
political will in implementing democratic reforms. NATO
Ministers noted that they attach great importance to the
conduct of free and fair local elections in Georgia in spring
2010. They encouraged Georgia to deepen reforms regarding
media freedom and the rule of law. They welcomed Georgia's
decision to conduct a broad review of its security sector,
but noted the need for more effective defence planning and
financial and human resource management. NGC Ministers
welcomed the successful start of the Professional Development
Programme for Civilian Personnel of the Georgian Ministry of
Defence and Other Security Institutions, managed by NATO.
NGC Ministers also welcomed the work that has been done thus
far to establish a NATO Liaison Office in Georgia, but noted
that further work in this regard is required.
NATO Ministers expressed strong appreciation for Georgia's
decision to make a substantial contribution to ISAF, to
include an infantry company and an infantry battalion without
national caveats. NATO Ministers welcomed these
contributions as a demonstration of Georgia's commitment to
our shared security.
NGC Ministers expressed their strong support for the
international process of negotiations in Geneva, and
expressed their regret over the Russian veto of the UN and
OSCE missions in Georgia. NGC Ministers urged Russia to
fulfil all of its commitments with regard to Georgia under
the EU-mediated cease-fire agreement, and urged Russia not to
undertake any steps that undermine the security of Georgia.
They expressed their strong support for the work of the
European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM), and stressed the
need for international monitors to have unimpeded access to
the entire territory of Georgia, including throughout the
South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions of the country. NATO
Ministers reaffirmed their strong support for Georgia's
independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity as
recognised by international law and United Nations Security
Council resolutions. They noted Georgia's full compliance
with the EU-mediated cease-fire agreement, welcomed Georgia's
good cooperation with the EUMM, and expressed concern about
the detention of Georgian civilians near the administrative
boundary lines, including minors. NATO Ministers reaffirmed
USNATO 00000564 002.2 OF 002
their strict policy of non-recognition of the "independence"
of the South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions of Georgia, and
called once again on Russia to reverse its decision in this
regard.
Foreign Minister Vashadze outlined the Georgian Government's
efforts to deepen reforms under the Annual National
Programme. He reaffirmed Georgia's commitment to peaceful
resolution of conflicts, full implementation of obligations
under the EU-mediated cease-fire agreement, full cooperation
with the European Union Monitoring Mission, and constructive
participation in the Geneva Talks. Minister Vashadze also
drew attention to human rights violations on the occupied
territories and adjacent villages and continuing security
incidents that undermine the fragile security situation in
the region.
END TEXT
2. (U) COMMENT: Because a Chairman's statement is issued
under the Secretary General's own authority as the Chair of
the NGC, it is not a binding policy document in the same way
that an agreed Joint Statement would be. END COMMENT
DAALDER