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NATO tells Georgia to stay on course

TBILISI, Georgia, June 27 (UPI) -- The priority for the government of Georgia is to continue moving forward with democratic reforms as it moves closer to Europe, the NATO secretary-general said.

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen arrived Wednesday in Tbilisi for a two-day visit to discuss Georgia's progress in integrating with the European community. Rasmussen was in Tbilisi on the invitation of the Georgian government, which aspires to join the alliance.

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Allied heads of state in 2008 agreed to Georgia's accession provided it embraces defense and political reforms.

Rasmussen said democracy was a "deep-rooted" system of politics in Georgia and encouraged the government to stay on course.

"We look forward to free and fair presidential elections later this year," he said in a statement. "And we will continue to support the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders."

Georgia was accused of selective justice after supporters of embattled President Mikheil Saakashvili were arrested on charges of abusing political office and corruption. Saakashvili was criticized for his 2008 decision to go to war with Russia over the breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

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Rasmussen praised Georgia's contribution to international military operations, notably in Afghanistan where it's the largest non-NATO contributor of military forces.

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