Georgian historian: Moscow to try to foment interethnic conflicts in South Caucasus Professor Avaliani for Caliber.Az

Caliber.Az presents an interview with the Head of Interdisciplinary Research Center, Professor of World History Eka Avaliani (Georgia).

- The European Union gave candidate status to Moldova and Ukraine but refused Georgia. Why do you think this happened?

- The main reason for such a negative decision for Georgia is that the EU demanded from the country to fulfill 12 points in order to become a potential candidate for membership. That is, these are shortcomings that need to be eradicated. And I think that all the remarks of the EU require the attention of our government and the support of all citizens. These demands are justified and there are no political motives behind them, simply these conditions are indispensable for the truly democratic development of the country.

- Will the Georgian Dream government be able to fulfill the proposed points by the end of the year?

- We have two aspects here in terms of political players. On one side is the EU and on the other side is Georgia. The EU is in a privileged position because Georgia wants to join. We need very important aspects to achieve this goal. One is the will of the people, the other is the decision of the government. The recent demonstrations of the Georgian population are a clear example that Georgia wants to become part of the European Union.

- Do you think that after that the aspiration of the Georgian people to become a part of the European community will calm down?

- Our people are very eager and ready to become a member of the EU, but the government is hesitating.

- How does the US feel about it?

- The USA has long ago proved that they are our friend. Washington has helped us many times and we must cherish it.

- What do you think, it is better for Georgia to move towards the West or the East?

- Georgia as a nation has developed at the crossroads of two civilizations. Connecting with Europe does not mean that Georgia should give up the East. Based on the geographical conditions, it should maintain friendly relations with Eastern countries as well.

As for Azerbaijan or Türkiye, I do not think they are purely eastern countries - there are many aspects there too which are based on European standards. I am sure that one day Azerbaijan will become a part of the EU.

- If, say, elections were to be held in Georgia as early as this Sunday, who do you think the Georgian people would vote for?

- Saakashvili is now in prison, that is, in the position of a prisoner and an outcast. A number of countries have recognized him as a political prisoner. Ivanishvili, on the other hand, has a great influence on Georgia's political institutions, so surely the people will vote for the Georgian Dream.

- What spheres have been affected by the Russian-Ukrainian war in Georgia?

- Georgia was affected emotionally by this war because the country supports the Ukrainian people. We must also take into account the fact that not all Russians support Putin. This is the Kremlin's war against the Ukrainian people, but it largely determines Georgia's international policy.

- How do you see the outcome of this war?

- I think that the war will still continue and will expand at the expense of other conflicts.

- Should we expect any threats from Russia against Georgia?

- I do not think that now Russia will be able to fight on several fronts. At any rate, it is not seeking to add South Ossetia to its territory at the moment, because it would need a lot of money to support that region. At this stage, Moscow is running out of material resources. That is why it keeps Samachablo (the Georgian name for South Ossetia - ed.) in limbo.

- But when, in your opinion, Georgia will be able to return its occupied territories?

- This is in the distant future... For this Russia should break up into several states, and then self-determination of Ossetians and Abkhazians will begin.

- What global processes are expected in the Caucasus in the near future?

- The Kremlin will try to foment interethnic conflicts. We should be very careful in the Caucasus so that our brotherly relations do not suffer because of the Kremlin's propagandists. I believe that Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia must find the strength to support each other. I would very much like to see the tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan decrease and the Caucasus become one civilized center on the map.