MOSCOW. Nov 17 (Interfax) - If NATO decides to admit Georgia within its borders existing as of 2008, this will lead to a new war in the South Caucasus, says Russian envoy to NATO Dmitry Rogozin.
"If they decide to admit Georgia within the Soviet-era administrative borders, that is, together with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, they are likely to demand that Tbilisi ensure the country's integrity, that is, return the breakaway territories," Rogozin said in an interview published in the Thursday issue of Krasnaya Zvezda.
"This will mean a new war in the South Caucasus, and I am convinced that NATO understands that this cannot be done," he added.
At the same time, Rogozin doubted that NATO would agree to admit Georgia without Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as this would mean that the alliance recognizes their independence.
Hence, Tbilisi has no chances of joining NATO at the time, he said.
"So, the door to NATO is closed to Georgia in the current conditions, and groundless and irresponsible statements aren't worth too much," he said.
The potential for NATO's enlargement has been exhausted, and only the Balkan states have a chance to join it, he said.
"Perhaps only the Balkan countries have the chance to join the alliance. As for the others, they will have to settle for partner programs within the EAPC [Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council], which are aimed in the new conditions at getting more from partners - if you take Georgia, it is becoming a major supplier of troops for Afghanistan - and simultaneously cutting NATO's costs on its partners' needs," he said.