NATO distances itself from Russia-Georgia crisis

NATO on Wednesday tried to distance itself from the crisis between Russia and Georgia, which NATO has just offered Intensified Dialogue.

With this Intensified Dialogue, Georgia will have access to a more intense political exchange with NATO allies on its NATO membership aspirations.

"There is no link and no link should be seen between the Intensified Dialogue between Georgia and NATO, and the events we' ve seen in the past few days," NATO spokesman James Appathurai told reporters on Wednesday.

"NATO is certainly not playing an active role in this immediate crisis."

Tension grew between Russia and Georgia, a former Soviet republic, when the Georgian authorities arrested five Russian military officers on charges of espionage.

The tension remains although the officers were later released as a result of mediation by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

The NATO spokesman said NATO chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has called for the reduction of tension between the two countries.

De Hoop Scheffer and NATO welcome the release of the Russian officers and Russia's decision to continue meeting its commitment to withdrawing its bases from Georgia, said the spokesman.

De Hoop Scheffer and NATO also hope the Russian sanctions on Georgia can be lifted as soon as possible, he said.

The spokesman ruled out "shortcuts" for Georgia to join NATO under the new circumstances. Aspirants have to meet NATO standards before they can join, he said.

Source: Xinhua