U.S. Senator Calls for NATO MAP for Georgia

Dick Lugar, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations, said in a resolution submitted to the U.S. Senate on January 31 that the United States should take the lead in urging its allies in NATO to recognize the important efforts underway in Georgia and Ukraine and to offer Membership Action Plan (MAP) to both countries this spring.

?The leaders of Georgia and Ukraine have clearly stated their desire to join NATO and both have made remarkable progress towards meeting NATO standards,? Senator Lugar said.

He also said that both countries have significant amounts of work to accomplish before they can be offered NATO membership. “MAP participation does not guarantee future membership,” he stressed.

?Potential NATO membership motivates emerging democracies to make important advances in areas such as the rule of law and civil society. A closer relationship with NATO will promote these values and contribute to our mutual security,? the U.S. Senator said.

Georgia is currently in a so-called Intensified Dialogue with NATO and is hoping to progress soon to a Membership Action Plan.

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