US Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Daniel Fried said that the Communiqué on the outcomes of the NATO Summit in Riga for the first time reflects the Alliance attitude to “frozen conflicts” in the territory of the former Soviet Union. As Fried told journalists, “the Communiqué language includes a phrase supporting territorial integrity of South Caucasian states and Moldova.” In his words, the NATO states this for the first time and it is an important signal for these countries.»
When commenting on President Bush statement in Riga in support of Georgia’s bid for NATO accession, Fried underscored that the President first of all meant that the doors of the Alliance should be open to all those wishing. “The President insisted that Georgia should be given a change to do what it has to do,” the diplomat said, noting that “Georgia has to do everything to be ready to NATO membership.” “It is not so much strengthening democratic institutions and economy, but peaceful settlement of territorial disputes inside Georgia,” he noted, reports Prime News.
