Chief says NATO will continue to expand

NATO's chief said yesterday the Western alliance will continue its expansion despite Russian opposition and warned Moscow it has no veto on Georgia's bid to become a member.

In a strong message of support for Georgia after its debilitating conflict with Russia, NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said "the road to NATO is still wide open" and Russia cannot not break the alliance's ties with the former Soviet republic through military action.

"The process of NATO enlargement will continue, with due caution but also with a clear purpose, to help create a stable, undivided Europe," he said in a speech at Tbilisi State University during a two-day visit.