TBILISI. July 28 (Interfax-AVN) - Georgia's independence will be guaranteed once it joins NATO, President Eduard Shevardnadze said at the seventh graduation exercise for Combined Military Academy cadets in Tbilisi on Monday.
"Georgia's desire to enter NATO is backed not only by all government and non-governmental sectors but also by an overwhelming majority of the country's population," he noted.
The president said Georgia is taking an active part in NATO's Partnership for Peace program and has concluded a separate accord with the alliance.
According to Shevardnadze, by acting together, "the goal that has been set will inevitably be attained. However, still more must be done to transfer the army to NATO standards."
Shevardnadze said that those helping to reform the Georgian armed forces include: the U.S., Germany, Turkey, Britain, Greece, Ukraine and other friendly countries.
The president emphasized that Georgia's desire to integrate in the Euro-Atlantic structure "does not imply confrontation with any country or disregard for its legitimate interests."