Countering Disinformation and Strengthening Partnerships: An Interview with Senator Joëlle Garriaud-Maylam, President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly

In this interview with the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Senator of the French Republic Joëlle Garriaud-Maylam, we delve into the pressing security challenges faced by NATO in the context of the ongoing developments in Ukraine. With Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in mind, the President discusses the strategic implications for the region and the importance of standing together in support of Ukraine. We also explore the progress of Georgia in its pursuit of NATO membership and the specific areas requiring attention in implementing necessary reforms. The President shares insights on countering Russian disinformation campaigns and emphasizes the significance of strengthening NATO’s partnerships with other countries and international organizations to address common threats and enhance collective security.

The situation in Georgia has significant strategic implications. Could you provide us with an overview of the current challenges and complexities faced by Georgia, particularly in the context of regional security?

Since the start of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, Georgia – like NATO Allies – finds itself in a profoundly changed security environment. Russia is not a new threat to Georgia. Since 2008, it has illegally occupied some 20% of Georgian territory – an occupation our Assembly has denounced time and again. But Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine has laid bare its imperialistic ambitions and its determination to challenge the international rules-based order. It has highlighted, once again, the systemic challenge which autocracies pose to democracy. With its assault, Russia sought to prevent Ukraine from exercising its free choice, as a sovereign nation, to determine its future: a democratic future within the European and Euro-Atlantic families. This should be of grave concern to Georgia, where successive governments have reiterated their continued commitment to a democratic path and their wish to join these two families as well. Faced with Russia’s challenge, all democracies must stand together in support of Ukraine and join forces to help defeat Russia’s aggression.

Since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine, NATO and our Assembly have reaffirmed our support for Georgia as well. NATO has stepped up its assistance to Georgia to help it strengthen its defences and its resilience against Russia’s destabilising activities. At the same time, NATO and our Assembly have made clear to our Georgian friends, that staying the course of democratic reforms is even more important at this critical moment.

During the press conference, you mentioned several key factors affecting Georgia’s path towards NATO membership. Could you elaborate on these factors and their potential impact on Georgia’s aspirations?

Over the years, our Assembly has strongly supported Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and trajectory. The Assembly – and I personally in my various roles over the years – have recognised Georgia’s progress and expressed our support for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration in numerous reports, statements and policy recommendations as well as through our engagement with the Georgian parliamentarians in the Georgia-NATO Interparliamentary Council and other formats.

As parliamentarians, we tend to be direct by nature. And we can be even more frank with our closest partners. This is why, over the years, in our exchanges with our Georgian colleagues, we have been able to raise any issues openly, amongst friends and partners.

Today, we must recognise that Allies have some concern with regard to the consolidation of Georgian democracy. I have myself raised some of these directly with our Georgian members: the ongoing polarisation of the political environment, the attempt earlier this year to enact a “foreign agents” law, the treatment of former President Mikheil Saakashvili, the importance of full implementation of international sanctions on Russia and the resumption of direct flights between Russia and Georgia.

Shared democratic values are the foundation of the Alliance. If the government and parliament want to demonstrate Georgia’s readiness to join NATO in the future, they must not stray from the path of democratic reform and democratic consolidation. As ever, the Assembly stands ready to support Georgia. But Georgia must do its homework.

How do you assess the progress made by Georgia in implementing necessary reforms to meet NATO standards? What are the specific areas that require attention?

The breadth and depth of the NATO-Georgia partnership is quite extraordinary, as is the overwhelming popular support for NATO integration, which has been remarkably consistent and cross-party over the years.

Over the past two decades, Georgia has made huge strides towards adopting NATO standards. It has modernised its defence and security sector, including by strengthening civilian and parliamentary control of the armed forces. It has punched above its weight in its contributions to NATO missions and operations – contributions which have made a real difference to our shared security. Today, instruments such as the tailored support measures, the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package, the Annual National Programme and the NATO- Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Centre as well as regular joint exercises are crucial in continuing to drive reforms and build interoperability of Georgian and NATO forces.

During this time, Georgia has also undergone a remarkable political transformation. Adopting and consolidating democratic standards is essential for any NATO aspirant. Because NATO is not just a military organisation. It is a political alliance of nations committed to democracy, freedom and the rule of law – as NATO’s founding treaty makes clear.

As I just mentioned, there are genuine concerns today that, on this political track, Georgia is going back on some of the achievements of the past two decades. Georgia’s partners are looking to its authorities to address these.

Given your expertise in the ongoing developments in Ukraine, what are your insights on the current situation and its implications for regional security and NATO’s role in the region?

Russia’s criminal and unprovoked war against a sovereign country has sent shockwaves across our continent and beyond. NATO Allies have been united and resolute in their response to Russia’s aggression. Our nations have delivered unprecedented amounts of military, financial and humanitarian assistance. And we are committed to standing with Ukraine for however long it takes for it to prevail.

At the same time, NATO is undergoing a profound adaptation too. It has made clear its determination to defend every inch of Allied territory and is building up its deterrence and defence.

The outcome of the war will define not just Ukraine’s future, but also the future of the rules- based international order. All nations which believe in a world ruled by right over might must stand with Ukraine and help bring Russia’s pattern of aggression to an end.

The stakes are very high for Georgia too. A victorious Russia would be emboldened in its imperialistic ambitions. It is therefore also in Georgia’s interest to do all it can to support Ukraine.

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly plays a crucial role in shaping NATO’s policies and priorities. As the President of the Assembly, what are your key objectives and priorities during your tenure? How do you plan to address the emerging challenges and ensure NATO’s effectiveness in a rapidly evolving security landscape?

I have two main priorities as President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. First, I will do my utmost to support Ukraine in its courageous fight for its territorial integrity and independence, but also for our shared values of freedom and democracy. NATO member states have shown exceptional solidarity with Ukraine since the start of Russia’s war of aggression. The Assembly will continue to advocate for that support to be maintained and bolstered for as long as it takes Ukraine to prevail.

My second priority is for the Assembly to continue to support NATO’s adaptation to the new geopolitical reality. The Assembly contributed extensively to the 2022 Strategic Concept, which lays out the roadmap for this adaptation. In particular, we have urged Allies, in light of the rising threat posed by autocracies, to place shared democratic values at the heart of NATO’s response to today’s challenges. NATO must now accelerate its adaptation on two fronts. First, Allies must strengthen their deterrence and defence posture, reinforce their military capabilities and increase their defence investments. Second, having reiterated its foundational and unwavering commitment to shared democratic values in the new Strategic Concept, NATO must now operationalise it. This is the reasoning behind the Assembly’s proposal to establish a Centre for Democratic Resilience at NATO Headquarters. This centre would serve as a resource and a clearinghouse of best practices available to Allies as well as to partners such as Georgia.

I will be privileged to represent the Assembly at the Vilnius Summit and present our recommendations to Allied Heads of State and Government.

The report of the NATO PA Committee on Democracy and Security, titled ‘The Russian War on Truth: Defending Allied and Partner Democracies Against the Kremlin’s Disinformation Campaigns,’ and authored by you highlights the importance of countering disinformation. What are your views on the significance of this report, and how can NATO effectively address the disinformation campaigns conducted by Russia?

Russian disinformation poses a dual threat to Allied societies: a security threat and a democratic threat. Nowhere is this threat more visible today than in Ukraine where Russia intensified its efforts to spread disinformation in preparation for and in parallel to its illegal and brutal renewed invasion of Ukraine.

The objectives behind the Kremlin’s disinformation operations are manifold. They aim to weaken democratic societies and erode social cohesion, undermine the confidence of Allied citizens in democratic institutions and processes as well as ensure the Russian regime’s survival. The Alliance cannot afford to stand idly by in the face of attempts by the Kremlin and its puppets to destabilise our countries by inundating them with false information. The Allies have already taken a range of measures to strengthen the resilience of their societies against Russian disinformation. However, given the increase in destabilising attempts in this area, it is crucial that they redouble their efforts. Here again, the creation of a Centre for Democratic Resilience within NATO would be a useful resource. Allies must also strengthen their collaboration with partners in order to better combat disinformation together.

In your opinion, how can NATO strengthen its partnerships with other countries and international organizations to enhance collective security and address common threats?

NATO’s partnerships already contribute greatly to the shared security of NATO Allies and partners. However, as the Strategic Concept has recognised, NATO can also better leverage its partnerships to support Alliance values and goals. Partnerships must promote shared democratic values and the rules-based international order. In this regard, continuing to further develop NATO’s unique strategic partnership with the European Union is essential.

Deepening the Alliance’s dialogue and cooperation with established partners across the Alliance’s neighbourhood – from East to South – as well as strengthening links with new and existing like-minded partners across the globe is also critical to defend the rules-based international order in the face of increasing attempts by authoritarian countries, such as China and Russia, to undermine its tenets.

Lastly and importantly, the Alliance’s door must remain open for all European democracies that share its values. We look forward to welcoming Sweden as the 32nd member of NATO hopefully very soon.

As a member of the Senate of France, how do you perceive the role of France in NATO and its contributions to the alliance? What are your expectations for France’s engagement and cooperation with NATO in the coming years?

France is one of the founding members of the Alliance and is a reliable, responsible, and committed Ally. Following Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine in 2022, France has further strengthened its contribution to the security of Allies most exposed to Russia’s aggressive and illegal actions. It deployed new contingents in Romania and Estonia and fighter aircraft in Poland to carry out air policing activities. At the same time, France is providing robust, multifaceted support to Ukraine.

In full complementary with NATO’s own efforts, France contributes to the development of European initiatives through which European Allies invest more in their defence and develop their military effectiveness and capacity.

In the face of the multiple threats facing the Euro-Atlantic community today, France will maintain its strong commitment to the Alliance. Our Senate just passed the defence programming bill for the years 2024-2030. This will further strengthen our contribution to Euro- Atlantic and global security for the years to come.