TBILISI, November 14 (RIA Novosti) - Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili promised on Wednesday to revive the democratic process in his country as part of its drive to integrate with NATO, in an address to NATO General Secretary Anders Fogh Rasmussen during a visit to Brussels.
"The previous government did not have sufficient transparency to meet democratic standards," he said. "I have assured the NATO Secretary General that our new team will do everything necessary in order for Georgia to meet its goals for NATO integration, and I also promised all the actions of the new government will be clear and transparent," he added.
The question of Georgia's membership in the Atlantic alliance was raised at NATO's May summit in Chicago. Its members agreed to "strengthen Georgia's ties to the alliance, including the further strengthening of political dialog, practical cooperation and interaction with Georgia."
NATO and the US have in recent years declared their intention to help Georgia, but have said they will not prematurely admit Tbilisi to the organization. US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Gordon has said Georgia is unlikely to join the alliance in the near future.
US Congress members have said adherence to democratic principles by the governnment was vital for any state wishing to join NATO.
During his three-day visit, Ivanishvili also met European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, EU enlargment commissioner Stefan Fule, EU President Herman Van Rompuy, European Parliament President Martin Schultz and members of the Georgian diaspora in Belgium.
Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili also happens to be in the Belgian capital, although the two men are not on the same visit schedule.
Ivanishvili was elected prime minister as head of the Georgian Dream coalition on October 1, putting Saakashvili's United National Movement into opposition. He took up office as Prime Minister on October 25.
He reaffirmed Tbilisi's commitment to joining NATO as soon as he had formed his new cabinet.
