Interpressnews discussed the results of the NATO Defense Ministerial, the importance of the visit of the U.S. Secretary of Defense to Georgia and Georgia’s grand strategy with Prof. Dr. Khatuna Burkadze, Director of American and Euro-Atlantic Studies at Geocase, an alumna of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and the Harvard Program on Negotiations.
Dr. Khatuna Burkadze underlined: ‘’The Defense Ministers of NATO endorsed a new overarching plan to defend allies in crisis and conflict and to protect one billion people from any threat including threats coming from the Russian Federation. Also, the Alliance underscored that the foreign policy course is free from outside interference. According to international law, all states have the right to independently define foreign policy priorities. Therefore, the Russian Federation should respect the choice of sovereign states.’’
She mentioned: “Georgia as a Black Sea littoral state is strategically significant for the West. The European tour of the U.S. Defense Secretary has shown it. This visit was important in the regional context as well. After the trip to Georgia, the U.S. Defense Secretary visited Ukraine, Romania, and Brussels within NATO Defense Ministerial. Furthermore, "The security and stability of the Black Sea are in the national interest of the United States and are critical to the security of NATO's eastern flank,” said Secretary Austin. In this regard, it is crucial to enhance regional cooperation among the Black Sea allies to develop maritime capacities.”
“Overall, Georgia should develop a grand strategy to ensure its interests. Regardless of the challenges through democratic reforms, support of partners and implementation of strategically important projects we will be able to achieve our foreign policy goals on the path of European and Euro-Atlantic integration. The mission is possible if we have the right strategy and we can consolidate appropriate efforts,” added Dr. Khatuna Burkadze.
Read the full interview here
