Georgian officials continue to turn up the volume on joining NATO, but the 28 NATO countries remain far from unanimous in supporting its membership bid. "We all need to remember that, compared to other small countries that previously joined the alliance, our country works under direct gunpoint," said Georgian defence minister Tinatin Khi-dasheli, referring to Russia's encroachment of its territory. "We are waiting for the courage of the allies to take this decision," she told the South Caucasus Security Forum on 26-27 October. "NATO needs to be ahead of Russia in at least one area. In all others it is behind." Certain allies such as Turkey overtly support bringing Georgia into the fold. "We are ready to give them membership tomorrow. Why are the rest of you waiting?" a Turkish official told the conference.
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