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Georgia needs good relations with Azerbaijan
Sat 24 November 2012 11:21 GMT | 11:21 Local Time
Nika Chitadze
News.Az interviews Nika Chitadze, Georgian political scientist.
What changes can be expected in Georgian foreign policy with
Ivanishvili? Can the general strategic course of the country for
European integration sustain changes?
Despite the fact, that new authorities of Georgia have declared about
the fact, that foreign policy priorities of Georgia would not be
changed, there are some factors, which can prevent the further
Euro-Atlantic integration of Georgia. Particularly, in this case
should be mentioned about agitation from the western leaders,
including of the Secretary General of NATO and President of European
Parliament etc. about pressure on local authorities, public channel
and arresting of some former high - rank officials from the Ministry
of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Defense.
How can Georgian policy develop with other South Caucasus countries?
I think that new authorities will try to keep the good relations with
the South Caucasus States because of long history of the neighborhood
relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia. I hope that new authorities
also understand that Georgia needs good relations with Azerbaijan, the
country, which exports energy resources to Georgia and is involved in
the construction of Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars railway and is one
of the main investor to the economy of Georgia.
The new Georgian government sympathizes the project of railway
communication with Russia via Abkhazia. Is this idea real?
It is very difficult to implement this project. From technical point
of view, it should be reconstructed Zugdidi-Gali line of railway, but
at the same time, Abkhazian de-facto authorities (under the pressure
from Moscow) will be against of this project. They already did the
announcement on this fact.
If Georgia really wants the establishment of railway connection with
Russia, it will be possible via territory of Azerbaijan. At the first
stage, to transport goods from Georgia to Azerbaijan by railway, and
after from Azerbaijan to Russia.
If this idea is implemented, what will happen with the
Baku-Tbilisi-Kars project planned soon?
The project Baku-Tbilisi-Kars will be implemented, because the
railway will go to other direction, toward Turkey and it will increase
the transit potential of Georgia.
Armenian authorities are likely interested in the opening of the
railway communication between Georgia and Russia no less that new
Georgian authorities are. Observers in Baku suppose that in case of
opening of this road, Yerevan will become even more incompliant in
Karabakh issue. Do you think the new leadership will be able to worsen
ties with Russia without worsening them with Azerbaijan?
Yes, if railway connection with Russia is implemented via Azerbaijan.
F.H.
News.Az
Sat 24 November 2012 11:21 GMT | 11:21 Local Time
Nika Chitadze
News.Az interviews Nika Chitadze, Georgian political scientist.
What changes can be expected in Georgian foreign policy with
Ivanishvili? Can the general strategic course of the country for
European integration sustain changes?
Despite the fact, that new authorities of Georgia have declared about
the fact, that foreign policy priorities of Georgia would not be
changed, there are some factors, which can prevent the further
Euro-Atlantic integration of Georgia. Particularly, in this case
should be mentioned about agitation from the western leaders,
including of the Secretary General of NATO and President of European
Parliament etc. about pressure on local authorities, public channel
and arresting of some former high - rank officials from the Ministry
of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Defense.
How can Georgian policy develop with other South Caucasus countries?
I think that new authorities will try to keep the good relations with
the South Caucasus States because of long history of the neighborhood
relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia. I hope that new authorities
also understand that Georgia needs good relations with Azerbaijan, the
country, which exports energy resources to Georgia and is involved in
the construction of Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars railway and is one
of the main investor to the economy of Georgia.
The new Georgian government sympathizes the project of railway
communication with Russia via Abkhazia. Is this idea real?
It is very difficult to implement this project. From technical point
of view, it should be reconstructed Zugdidi-Gali line of railway, but
at the same time, Abkhazian de-facto authorities (under the pressure
from Moscow) will be against of this project. They already did the
announcement on this fact.
If Georgia really wants the establishment of railway connection with
Russia, it will be possible via territory of Azerbaijan. At the first
stage, to transport goods from Georgia to Azerbaijan by railway, and
after from Azerbaijan to Russia.
If this idea is implemented, what will happen with the
Baku-Tbilisi-Kars project planned soon?
The project Baku-Tbilisi-Kars will be implemented, because the
railway will go to other direction, toward Turkey and it will increase
the transit potential of Georgia.
Armenian authorities are likely interested in the opening of the
railway communication between Georgia and Russia no less that new
Georgian authorities are. Observers in Baku suppose that in case of
opening of this road, Yerevan will become even more incompliant in
Karabakh issue. Do you think the new leadership will be able to worsen
ties with Russia without worsening them with Azerbaijan?
Yes, if railway connection with Russia is implemented via Azerbaijan.
F.H.
News.Az