A letter by Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili describing the current tense situation between Georgia and Russia, has been published in the Russian language journal Russia in Global Affairs (Globalaffairs.ru).
In the article, titled "Georgia – Russia: search for a way out of the impasse,” PM Garibashvili analyses the situation between Russia and Georgia, emphasizes problems and tries to explain possible solutions to the issues.
Garibashvili stated he gave the article to the journal for publishing ten days before the beginning of the Sochi Winter Olympics. He said he hoped the Olympic Games would be carried out peacefully and without any unpleasant surprises.
"The decision to participate in the Olympics for the Georgian party was very difficult,” Garibashvili wrote in the letter.
"After all, the Games are held near the Georgian-Russian border, Abkhazia. Most of the population in this region are Georgians and are still in exile. After more than 20 years since the tragic conflict they still cannot return to their homes,” he stated.|/
In reference to the 2008 August War, Georgia’s PM said all international norms and agreements were violated by Russia. Furthermore the country has still not withdrawn its troops from Abkhazia and South Ossetia. According to the PM, the law on Occupied Territories was enforced in these regions however near these areas, barbed wire fences had been erected by Russian troops.
"Recently, Russia established an 11 kilometer long "border zone” deep inside Georgian territory. This affects people living with the generations. Many of them became refugees in their own country. Georgia and Russia diplomatic relations are severed and the prospect of recovery is not yet visible,” Garibashvili wrote.
Despite the difficult situation, it was the Georgian athletes’ decision to participate in Sochi Olympic Games, Garibashvili stated. He said the Government supported the athletes’ decision and said politicizing the sport would affect the athletes most of all.
"We also believe that our decision is a step of goodwill to the international community, Olympic movement and the Russian people. Of course, through our participation we emphasize our strong commitment to peace and stability in the Caucasus region. Moreover, we have proposed the Russian side to co-operate in securing the Sochi Olympics. During the Olympics additional security measures will be carried out on Georgian territory including airports and border regions,” Garibashvili said in his letter.|/
The PrimeMinister said the Georgian athletes’ decision to participate in the Sochi Olympics "certainly contributed” to some positive results in the format of bilateral Georgian-Russian dialogue initiated by the Georgian Dream Government at the end of 2012.
The PrimeMinister said that over a year, Georgia had managed to restore trade relations and Georgian products had returned to the Russian market. Political obstacles for transporters had been removed and the issue of facilitating visas for Georgian citizens traveling to Russia was currently being addressed. In 2013, the number of Russian tourists who visited Georgia increased by 50 percent compared to the previous year.
"Incidentally, the Russian citizens are visiting Georgia without any visas and we would welcome a further increase in the number of Russian tourists. Our attitude towards them in Georgia is friendly,” Garibashvili said.
He expressed his regret that there had been little progress between Georgia and Russia at the Geneva international talks. Garibashvili believed the format of the meeting (with representatives of international organizations such as UN, EU,OSCE and other western partners) had been established immediately after the Russian-Georgian War in 2008 in order to solve complex humanitarian and security problems that had arisen as a result of the conflict.
"By recognizing the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Russia has established an enchanted circle, in a direct meaning. Geneva talks are meant to serve us to find a way out of this impasse. Without giving constructive dynamics to this important format, Russia – Georgia bilateral dialog will also ‘hit the wall’ at some point,” the PM stressed.|/
He said Georgia, unlike Russia, had fulfilled its obligations in accordance with the Cease Fire Agreement of August 12, 2008.
"Unfortunately, Russia still refuses to make a reciprocal step and take on similar legal obligations. Because of the unconstructive position of the Russian side, we are unable to make progress in this issue in the framework of the Geneva talks. We urge the Russian side to make reciprocal steps,” the Prime Minister wrote.
Garibashvili said Georgia was now faced with a difficult and complex task: on one hand Russia was not going to withdraw its decision about recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as "independent states”, and on the other hand, Georgia would never go along with this.Garibashvili stated, it had been said that Georgians, Abkhazians and Ossetians had to find a ‘common language’ in order to resolve the problems by themselves. The PM believed this formula would be successful but it could only earn interest if Moscow participated fairly in the reconciliation process.
Garibashvili stressed that Georgia was ready for direct dialogue with Abkhazians and Ossetians to discuss practical and humanitarian issues, and in his opinion, trust must be restored between the parties before questions regarding the status of the breakaway regions can be resolved.
The Georgian Prime Minister also discussed the Association Agreement with the EU in his letter. He said the document will be signed this summer and from this, Georgia would expect an expansion of trade and economic relations, as well as substantial liberalization of the visa regime for Georgian citizens who wish to visit the EU member states.
"However, it is suggested that Russia will try to dissuade Georgia from signing the agreement. Such opinions are amplified against the backdrop of recent dramatic events in Ukraine,” Garibashvili wrote.
"The main questions are: what measures will Russia will apply in respect of Tbilisi - military pressure or "soft power" and whether Moscow will resume the trade embargo on Georgian goods. Unfortunately these questions reflect the mood of the people and the degree of distrust. As shown by recent polls, about 70 percent of the Georgian population supports maintenance of a dialogue with Russia but most of them think its northern neighbor is the main external threat as well,” Garibashvili stated in the letter.|/
Garibashvili stressed the Georgian side was deeply convinced that a stable, democratic development of Georgia and its right to free choice was not contrary to the interests of good neighborliness.In Garibashvili’s opinion, the free trade regime with the EU, which is the main component of the Association Agreement, did not alter the fact that Georgia had extended the same co-operation with all countries, including Russia.
"Georgia, as a small country, has a vital interest in integrating with developed markets. Without this there is little chance of an upgrade. So the world's largest market is the European Union which, incidentally, is the main trading partner of Russia and this co-operation is developing quite successfully,” Garibashvili wrote.
In his words, European choice was not a matter of individual politician, government or generation but a historic commitment to a civilized environment from which was fundamental values Georgian’s had held for centuries.
"Today’s Europe is not a perfect world. But where is the best?” Garibashvili asks in the letter.
He continues that in the18th Century when Georgia sought protection from Russia, his ancestors perceived it as European power and a gateway to Europe. In the years 1918-1921, Georgia undertook "a desperate attempt” to become part of enlightened Europe, Garibashvili said.
"I share the view of Russian scientists that Moscow, in today’s context, should not elect to create a metaphorical wall between Georgia and Europe. That would be a big mistake and shortsightedness. Conversely, Moscow's support in the construction of European Georgia would largely strengthen its authority and would be an important factor in creating a stable and peaceful South Caucasus,” Garibashvili stated.
He believed Georgia was extremely interested in the fact that no threats to the country came from its neighbors and understood the desires of its neighbours to have a stable and predictable country as a neighbour. Garibashvili said Moscow and Tbilisi had the same goals in fighting against terrorism and radicalism.He also mentioned that Georgia was open to Russian business and as a part of the bilateral dialogue, was ready to consider joint ventures and international investment projects in the field of energy, transport, infrastructure and more.
"Russian companies are already showing interest in these kinds of projects. Implementing common economic interests should promote an equitable solution of complex political problems,” Garibashvili believed.
"Russian culture is appreciated and loved in Georgia. We know that there is the same relation to Georgian culture in Russia. About the interpenetration of our cultures one can talk a lot. I will mention only a recent event - Tbilisi Theatre named after Griboyedov was recognized as the best Russian theater outside of Moscow. Also, the cooperation between the Georgian and Russian orthodox churches when even in the tragic days of the August War, they maintained pins with each other,” the Prime Minister wrote.|/
In conclusion, Garibashvili said the rapidly changing world and common challenges required innovative approaches by all nations. In his opinion, when the interests of countries were compatible, the parties could undertake peaceful negotiations.