09:53, 27 July 2016

Georgia's CEC rejects application for a referendum on joining NATO

Flags of Georgia and NATO at the Krtsanisi National Training Centre. Photo by Inna Kukudzhanova for the "Caucasian Knot"

The Central Election Commission (CRC) has refused to hold a referendum on the country's accession to NATO, said Jondi Bagaturiya, the leader of the oppositional party "Kartuli Dasi".

The opposition offered to hold a referendum in parallel to the upcoming parliamentary elections, which, as the "Caucasian Knot" has reported, are scheduled for October 8.

"In recent years, the attitude of the Georgian population to NATO has changed essentially. Today, more and more of our compatriots wish Georgia not to join any military alliances and remain a neutral country," said Bagaturiya, adding that his "Kartuli Dasi" would challenge the CEC's decision at court, the "Interfax" reports.

According to the poll, conducted in February and March 2016 by the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the accession to NATO was supported by 79% of Georgia's citizens.

Let us remind you that the NATO member states are ready to accept Georgia into the alliance, but the unresolved problems with Abkhazia and South Ossetia are the hampers.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.