"Georgia should openly support Ukraine and oppose Russia"
Caliber.Az interview with Revaz Topuria

INTERVIEWS  09 June 2022 - 09:49

Georgian political scientist and analyst in the sphere of international relations Revaz Topuria has commented on the urgent issues for the South Caucasus region in a conversation with Caliber.Az.

- As you know, Georgia and the US have adopted a ten-year program of military cooperation. It is a sign of any special relations between the two countries?

- Actually, it has long been neither a secret nor a surprise that Georgia has been closely connected with the US for many years. And another step is just a continuation of the previous one, designed to modernize Georgia's military sphere. It will help us to get closer to NATO, because unequivocally, the way to membership in the alliance is only through the USA. Although, the consent of the other member countries is necessary as well.

Meanwhile, the United States is a strategic partner of Georgia, and in 2008, at the summit of countries in Bucharest, it was the country that strongly lobbied Georgia's interests to give us a card to join. However, the USA even now is trying to be on Georgia's side, to help not only in terms of accession to NATO but also on a bilateral level.

It is worth mentioning that Georgia has always taken part in the alliance's operations and our country has been the biggest contributor among the others, both members and non-members of the bloc.

- Apparently, you are confident in the necessity for Georgia to become a NATO member?

- We conducted a poll some time ago, and about 70 per cent of Georgians favoured joining the alliance, and even more citizens favoured joining the European Union. Our Constitution clearly states that we have a Euro-Atlantic course. But of course, it is not that easy. We accelerated our application for EU membership and we will soon find out if we will be given candidate status. It's a very capacious process - we need 60 to 70 directives and regulations on the economy by 2027. So far we have passed about 150-200 regulations. The same goes for Ukraine and Moldova. But the EU has to make a political decision now. If we are not given this status, there will be more Euroscepticism among the population, which will only benefit Russia.

Things are more complicated with NATO - no one has told us when we will be accepted. Yes, we have implemented a number of reforms, but we have problems with democracy. Everything depends on the course of political events and the outcome of the war in Ukraine. I hope this process will end successfully for us. NATO is a guarantor of our security because Russian troops are very close to Tbilisi and Gori.

- Your assessment of the Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Georgia cooperation format?

- These are three countries that should cooperate even more. Georgia has very close relations with Azerbaijan and Türkiye. And exactly today, when the whole world is isolated from Russia, we should take advantage of the opportunities that have arisen and pave an additional way for Europe. I mean cooperation in the gas industry and other energy resources as well as food. It is very important that all three countries help each other both economically and politically. So far there is no Russia in this format, and that suits me fine.

- How do you assess the diplomatic activities of the Georgian Dream?

- I cannot commend the current government on this, believing that when our Ukrainian brothers are at war with Russia, Georgia's policy in the international arena should be more active. We should openly support Ukraine and oppose Russia. We should join anti-Russian sanctions. At least to those that are possible, because today our economy is very dependent on Moscow.

And the observed inaction in this direction is the result of the Georgian Dream policy, which in nine years has turned the domestic economy into a Russian orbit. We should state openly that it is not only the Ukrainians but the entire world that is at war with Russia, which, incidentally, has occupied 20 per cent of Georgia's territory. Unfortunately, our government does not do that. So far we have not joined the sanctions, our authorities do not support Ukraine enough, and in Europe, they do not even know the name of our foreign minister.

Naturally, our government is afraid that if Russia loses the war in Ukraine, it will start laying claims on Moldova or Georgia. I think this is the wrong policy because this is the moment we have been waiting for. When Russia started military actions against Georgia in 2008, no one imposed any sanctions against the aggressor.

- What steps is the ruling Georgian Dream taking to return to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region?

- Unfortunately, I cannot say much about this, because practically nothing is being done in this direction. People are not even talking about it anymore, they are more concerned about the economic development of the country. The policy of Georgia on the occupied territories is nothing. In fact, no one is even thinking about war. Meanwhile, something needs to be done to make Ossetians and Abkhazians understand - it is better for them to live with Georgians.

- I would like to know an outside point of view: is peace between Azerbaijanis and Armenians possible?

- Peace is possible with the joint efforts of both countries. And peace is needed not only for Armenia and Azerbaijan but for the entire region. There are already many conflicts in the South Caucasus, which makes it unattractive for investments. I know that it will not be easy for Baku, as well as for Yerevan, but if peace is reached, it will lead to a significant economic development of the entire region.

- What do you think about the current level of relations between Baku and Tbilisi?

- Our countries have very good relations, we help each other. And this did not start now. I remember when in 2007 Russia restricted us in energy resources and Baku helped us a lot and still does. Meanwhile, Georgia plays the role of a transit side, which gives significant dividends to Baku.

Caliber.Az