"Tbilisi faces a historic choice: Independence or a swamp"
Georgian Social Justice party chairman on Caliber.Az
INTERVIEWS 13 June 2022 - 09:18
Tamilla Mammadova Caliber.Az |
Caliber.Az presents an interview with the Georgian political scientist, the chairman of the Political Movement for Social Justice party, Mamuka Tuskadze.
- Georgia and the United States have recently adopted a 10-year military cooperation programme, which determines the direction of joint security efforts in the coming years. What will it give Tbilisi?
- I don't see anything special about it. The US is the world's hegemon and is trying to further strengthen its influence in the world at the expense of underdeveloped and small countries like Georgia.
Most of the population of Georgia is not in favour of integration into NATO, but we will be very happy to support any individual state in this.
- So, among other things, you don't think Georgia needs NATO membership?
- Yes, it is unacceptable for me that the Georgian government has enshrined in the Constitution the desire for integration into NATO. This deprives the population of the right to choose a different foreign policy course, as well as military neutrality and military impartiality.
My political organisation, as well as myself, are opposed to the foreign policy openly proclaimed by the Georgian government and do not support it.
We will trample at the door of NATO to infinity! This is an impossible mission - we, Caucasians, have a completely different culture and mentality. NATO generally does not accept into its ranks such a nation and such a state like ours, given that the territorial border with an EU member state does not complicate our integration into these international unions.
- How do you assess the Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Georgia cooperation format?
- In our time, this will be the best option, if everything really begins to take place only in the format of cooperation, and not some kind of organisational union. Then all three states will develop rapidly and will be at the forefront of world development. Therefore, our organisation will openly and declaratively support such cooperation between the three states.
- What is the level of cooperation between our countries (Azerbaijan-Georgia) today?
- Since we generally believe that states should communicate with each other directly, without membership in any unions, I believe that more efforts are needed to make cooperation between Azerbaijan and Georgia deeper and more comprehensive. We need more cultural and sports ties, and exchange programmes in all areas. Very important, of course, is the transparency of political support and all actions that will contribute to the further development of friendship between our two states.
- What is the leading aspect of the activities of the current Georgian government?
- Georgia faces a historic choice - either we continue to independently develop the country only in relations with neighbouring countries and enter into direct agreements with the rest of the world, or we will find ourselves in a swamp into which we are actually dragged and deprived of independent development.
- Opposition rallies in Armenia, led by [Armenian Presidents Robert] Kocharyan and [Serzh] Sargsyan, are closely connected with Moscow. The opposition comes up with revanchist ideas. Do you think the opposition has a chance to restore its power in Armenia?
- Armenians are constantly worried about the complexity of a small nation, which has detrimental consequences for them. But to this day they cannot leave this complex, often trying to seize not only territories but also the cultural heritage of neighbouring peoples. There are many vivid examples of this - they appropriated both the Georgian and Azerbaijani heritage.
Caliber.Az
1
|
Phantom arms deal: How false claims aim to derail Baku-Tehran diplomacy Azerbaijan embraces "forewarned is forearmed" principle
25 July 2024 - 15:34
|
2
|
Could France’s anti-NATO rhetoric trigger domestic turmoil? Leftist Mélenchon's stance sparks historical echoes
24 July 2024 - 10:24
|
3
|
Azerbaijan: The new powerhouse of aluminium production amid global market strain "Green" era's requirement
25 July 2024 - 17:05
|
4
|
Brussels' bait and Yerevan's rush to swallow it The visa-free temptation
24 July 2024 - 09:00
|
5
|
West-backed Armenia likely to spark conflict with Azerbaijan rather than seek peace Caliber.Az reveals expert prognoses
25 July 2024 - 11:10
|
Venezuela struggles with gas shortages ahead of key presidential vote
27 July 2024 - 05:04
Japan addressing increasing incidents of customer harassment
Service culture under strain27 July 2024 - 03:05
Swiss spots struggle with social media-driven visitor impact
Tourism vs. nature27 July 2024 - 01:03
German chancellor tackles EU expansion, internal reform challenges
Path forward26 July 2024 - 23:03
Italian newspaper explores Azerbaijan's ancient Albanian churches
26 July 2024 - 21:08
Azerbaijani prosecutor general declares ties with Türkiye as strategic partnership
PHOTO26 July 2024 - 20:55
Azerbaijan, Italy strengthening military relations
PHOTO26 July 2024 - 20:42
China demands withdrawal of US nuclear weapons from Europe
26 July 2024 - 20:29
Pentagon concedes to spreading anti-Sinovac propaganda in Philippines
26 July 2024 - 20:16
COP29 presidency team hosts events to tackle key climate agenda issues
26 July 2024 - 20:03
Israel targets Türkiye’s TRT Haber team covering Al-Aqsa mosque incident
26 July 2024 - 19:51
COP20 president: Azerbaijan should lead with ambition at COP29
26 July 2024 - 19:38
Turkish defence minister, Azerbaijani ambassador discuss strengthening military ties
26 July 2024 - 19:25
FBI seeking to interview Trump as part of assassination attempt investigation
26 July 2024 - 19:12
US presidential candidate cites potential path to victory with Biden out of race
26 July 2024 - 18:58
Turkish MP confirms plans for official Azerbaijani school in Istanbul
26 July 2024 - 18:44
US vice president’s call for peace in Gaza sparks controversy with Israel
26 July 2024 - 18:30
FM: Italy to appoint ambassador to Syria after 10 years
26 July 2024 - 18:17
Head of Georgian Parliament blames opposition for compromising national safety
Aid to Ukraine at Georgia’s expense26 July 2024 - 18:03
South Caucasus on edge: West fuels Armenia's war drums
Yerevan clings to deceitful rhetoric26 July 2024 - 18:02
Media: Iran arms Hezbollah with advanced weapons
26 July 2024 - 17:49
Bolsonaro intends to run for Brazilian presidency in 2026, citing confidence in winning
26 July 2024 - 17:36
Armenian PM visits modernised Margara checkpoint on Turkish border
VIDEO26 July 2024 - 17:22
Boeing considers to convert its top fighter into an electronic warfare jet
Caliber.Az on YouTube26 July 2024 - 17:17
Belarus ready to expand cooperation with North Korea
26 July 2024 - 17:09
EU appoints new special representative for South Caucasus
26 July 2024 - 17:01
Azerbaijani-Chinese partnership defies "first among equals" attitudes
Rising above geopolitical cynicism26 July 2024 - 16:55
Armenia's militarization: A "peace agenda" with an armed approach
Yerevan must revisit recent historical lessons26 July 2024 - 16:42
Azerbaijan approves cooperation pacts with Türkiye, Kazakhstan
26 July 2024 - 16:33
Media: US informs Iran of readiness to return to nuclear deal
26 July 2024 - 16:29
Turkish forces take down PKK terrorists in coordinated Iraq and Syria raids
VIDEO26 July 2024 - 16:16
Israeli air strikes hit Hezbollah outposts in response to rocket fire
26 July 2024 - 16:03
Kremlin spox: EU ridicules Orban over Moscow visit
26 July 2024 - 15:51
Armenian parliamentary delegation visits Georgia to strengthen bilateral ties
26 July 2024 - 15:38
Washington talks peace while arming Yerevan
26 July 2024 - 15:38
Travellers from 13 nations explore rebuilding of Karabakh, East Zangazur
PHOTO26 July 2024 - 15:25
European Commission transfers €1.5 billion from frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine's defence
26 July 2024 - 15:25
Trump says US to destroy Iran in case of his assassination
26 July 2024 - 15:12
Kremlin declares dialogue with West futile amid hostility toward Russia
26 July 2024 - 14:59
Somalia, Azerbaijan share common positions on many international forums
Minister’s statement26 July 2024 - 14:46