"Armenians have always coveted Azerbaijani, Georgian lands" Professor Shubitidze for Caliber.Az

Caliber.Az presents an interview with Prof. Vazha Shubitidze, Doctor of Political and Historical Sciences, Georgian analyst, and laureate of David the Builder Literature Prize.

- Who is to blame for the cooling of relations between Tbilisi and Kyiv observed since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war? Do you have any forecast on how it will end?

- The Russians are mainly to blame for this situation. They purposely foment discord between two brotherly peoples - Georgian and Ukrainian. Russia has always spoiled relations between nations, including Azerbaijanis and Georgians. But this was done not only by Russians but also by Armenians.

However, I believe that the problems between the Georgian and Ukrainian peoples will definitely be solved, Russia will soon be completely defeated and then both Georgians and Ukrainians will establish free relations with each other.

- And how long will Georgia have to wait for full membership in the EU and NATO?

- It all depends on the situation. If the political necessity arises, Georgia will be quickly accepted into the EU and NATO, as they are going to accept Sweden and Finland at the moment. But first of all, Georgia has to fulfill all the conditions set before it by the EU and NATO. No one expected that Georgia and Ukraine would apply for EU membership ahead of time. But everything depends on how fast Russia will be neutralized.

- What is your attitude to the Georgia-Azerbaijan-Turkey cooperation format?

- I have a very positive attitude to this union. All three of our countries benefit from this format.

- How do you assess the bilateral level of Georgian-Azerbaijani relations?

- The relations between our nations are at quite a high level, our countries are strategic partners. The only thing I am concerned about is that in Azerbaijan, the Georgians in the places of their compact settlement could preserve their identity, namely their surnames, and have an opportunity to learn the Georgian language at schools. Being brothers, we should take care of each other.

- On April 29, IDS Borjomi Georgia announced the suspension of production at two plants in Georgia due to financial problems. In addition, some countries refused to buy mineral water from the company for political reasons. How should the situation be handled?

- Saakashvili's government handed over all the big and profitable companies in the country to the Russians. Borjomi is the image of Georgian business. But because of the anti-Russian sanctions, the sales have decreased. Therefore it is necessary to nationalize all the production.

- Why, in your opinion, in 1918, right after its formation, Armenia immediately began to make territorial claims against its neighbors, Azerbaijan and Georgia?

- Armenians began their territorial claims in the middle of the 19th century. In 1918, they started a war with Georgia but received a crushing blow. England saved them, or else the Georgians would have killed the Armenians. They have always coveted Azerbaijani, Georgian, and Russian lands.

- Is the dispute over the long-standing claims of Armenians to Georgian churches closed?

- Armenians dream in vain about someone else's cultural heritage. If they do not stop, they will lose everything they have. Today most of the population of Abkhazia is Armenian. They are interested in Abkhazians leaving and all the territory goes to them. So the Abkhazians have said that while they would make peace with the Georgians, they would have to fight with the Armenians.

- What steps is Georgia taking to regain the Lori region?

- Now we do not think about this, the main thing for today is to return back Abkhazia and Ossetia. Today Georgia is not ready for this yet. And they should be returned only through peace agreements. After the defeat of Russia, it will withdraw its troops from Karabakh, as well as Tskhinvali and Abkhazia. Ossetians and Abkhazians will be much better off as part of Georgia, they will retain their identity, language, and culture. It is impossible to develop Georgia without Ossetia and Abkhazia.

- Is peace between Armenians and Azerbaijanis possible?

- It is possible if Armenia moderates its imperialistic appetites.

- How do you assess the results of the third Brussels meeting between Aliyev, Pashinyan, and Michel?

- Pashinyan realizes very well that if he does not give up Karabakh, he will have problems, which will completely hamper Armenia's economic development. But so far, he is afraid to tell the people about this, because the discontent in Armenia is growing.

- Why do the Georgian people vote for the Georgian Dream party?

- In Georgia, two wealthy parties are vying for power, the Georgian Dream and the United National Movement, leaving little choice for other parties to come to power. However, if "GM" continues its current policy, everything will change in two years and there will be a change of power in Georgia.