TBILISI, DFWatch – Secretary General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen reiterates that Georgia is eligible for membership in the alliance sometime in the future when all criteria are met.

Fogh Rasmussen said this at a regular briefing when asked by journalists how a potential Georgian membership would be affected by the outcome of the Russian presidential election, considering Vladimir Putin’s views on NATO expansion.

Putin won the election in the first round with 64% of the votes.

“No third country… no third party can make decisions on behalf of NATO. NATO decides on our open-door policy. And NATO’s door remains open,” Fogh Rasmussen answered.

He says the alliance doors are open to European countries which are in a position to contribute to the security in the North Atlantic region, and reaffirmed the commitment made in Bucharest in spring 2008 promising Georgia membership after all conditions have been met.