Once again, in the 12 years since the summit in Bucharest, the North Atlantic Alliance has promised Georgia membership, thereby playing up to the pro-Western political forces ahead of the parliamentary elections.
At the summit in the Romanian capital of NATO, the so-called plan of action on membership in the alliance for Ukraine and Georgia was approved. This happened back in 2008. Since then, promises have been repeatedly thrown in the West, and the real prospect of countries joining the military bloc has faded.
Another loud statement was made right before the parliamentary elections in Georgia. They will take place on October 31. Against this background, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg held an ostentatious meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, urging the country to “prepare for membership.”
“I encourage you to continue to take full advantage of all opportunities for rapprochement with NATO and to prepare for membership. We count on Georgia to ensure that next month’s elections meet the highest international standards. This is important for Georgia and for NATO, ”the Secretary General said.
Such a statement can be regarded as an attempt to interfere in the electoral process. In fact, Stoltenberg did a great service to Georgia’s pro-Western political forces. This is understandable, given that, according to the latest polls, opposition parties are not popular among the country’s population.
A study by the American International Republican Institute shows that 33% of voters intend to support the ruling Georgian Dream. The united national movement of fugitive ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili may gain 16% of the vote. The parties “European Georgia” and “For the sake of new Georgia” can get another 5% each in the elections.