TBILISI. Oct 24 (Interfax-AVN) - Georgian officials do not see the reason for Russia to believe Georgia's plans to join NATO are to the detriment of the relations between the two countries, Georgy Baramidze, head of the Parliamentary Defence and Security Committee, told Interfax-Military News Agency on Wednesday.
Baramidze believes many Russian politicians still stick to the obsolete concept of considering the North Atlantic Treaty Organization a hostile one, with Russia itself being actively engaged in co-operation with the Alliance. This, no doubt, can seriously damage Russia's relations with Georgia and NATO countries as well.
Baramidze said it was vitally important for Georgia to join NATO, for it will strengthen the democracy in the country and ensure peace and security in the region. He is sure that a strong and stable Georgia will exist to the benefit of Russia and it will never threaten Russia's interests in the region.
Baramidze believes no double standards should be applied to the Russian-Georgian relations after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Russia's support for Georgia's territorial integrity and its readiness to provide it. Members of the Georgian Parliament hope Russia is able to contribute a great deal to the settlement of the conflict between Georgia and Abkhazia, Baramidze added.