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MOSCOW TRIES TO INCREASE ITS INFLUENCE IN GEORGIA
GHN News Agency, Georgia
November 11, 2014 Tuesday
Alik Eroiants: Moscow tries to increase its influence in Georgia
Armenian edition "Lragiri" published interview with Armenian Alik
Eroiants who talks about relations between Georgia and Armenia and
about geopolitical threats.
GHN offers short version of interview.
Question: According to materials published in Russian media in the
project of Russia-Abkhazia and Russia-South Ossetia is considered that
in case of destabilization in Georgia Russia can reach the border
of Armenia with the motive to protect population of Georgia. Is it
possible and is it directed against relations of Armenia and Georgia?
Alik Eroiants: "Such kind of picture is exaggerated. If even Russia has
such kind of task it is very tough to realize it, because it touches
not only Moscow, Tbilisi and Yerevan but whole region. Of course the
situation can be changed in the future - considering Euro Atlantic
integration of Georgia Russia can increase pressure but capturing
Georgian territories is not real. It is not depended only on the
wish of Russia because there are factors of US and European Union
that play role in this issue.
Some people can remind about August 2008 and say that Russia invaded
Georgia, but today it is not real. It is different case that Moscow
tries to increase its influence in Georgia. While the Presidency
of Mikheil Saakashvili Tbilisi was against Vladimer Putin, but new
government has multi vector and balanced politics: on one hand it
continues the course of Saakashvili to the west and on other hand
it tries to make relations with Russia better. Such kind of politics
serves interests of Georgia because the west advices Tbilisi to solve
relations with Russia too."
Question: Georgia is striving to join European Union, Armenia agreed
to join Eurasian Union. Will it create problems in relations between
Georgia and Armenia?
Alik Eroiants: European Union and also Eurasian Union in relations
with Georgia is not connected with Armenia issue. There can be
problems in economic relations but high level ties between Tbilisi
and Yerevan will make these risks neutral. I don't think that Russia
wants to make tensed relations between Georgia and Armenia; it can
be only beneficial for Turkey and Azerbaijan. I want to say that
while implementing balanced politics by the government of Georgia
Tbilisi also notices that influence of Turkey and Azerbaijan grows
in Georgia, however they understand also that such kind of situation
will create problems. That's why Georgia will maintain good relations
with Armenia. Question: There is political crisis in Georgia: those
who left ruling coalition say that the government puts European way
under the question. Brussels and Washington also agrees with. Do you
think the same?
Alik Eroiants: The impression that Georgia seems changed its European
course and turned to Eurasian is exaggerated, however the political
processes in Georgia confirms that the processes will be more
slow. It is underlined not only by Washington and Brussels but also
by Tbilisian officials including the President. This is result of the
politics of Bidzina Ivanishvili who stated that this is necessity to
solve relations with Russia. This thesis is confirmed with the fact
that Irakli Alasania was dismissed exactly with this context. He was
with official visit in Europe and without agreement with the Premier
was negotiating about purchase of arms with France and Germany. May
be it was the reason of dismissal of Irakli Alasania. The leader of
"Free Democrats" was leading independent politics without agreement
with the Prime Minister. The same we can say about the former Minister
of Foreign Affairs Maia Panjikidze. It is clear that the situation is
tough, there is intergovernmental disagreement. But I can't say that
in Georgia there is political crisis. Yes, some Ministers resign but
others will be appointed and it means that the government controls
the situation.
Question: The party of Mikheil Saakshvili expressed readiness to
relate with Irakli Alasania under the "name of European course,"
however "Free Democrats" are not hurry to make agreement on. Is it
possible to strengthen the opposition and to hold early elections?
Alik Eroiants: "After dismissal of the Ministers in the government
there raised issue to maintain Parliamentarian majority, however soon
it became clear that majority will not turn into minority - there
are other parties in coalition. If Republicans and "Free Democrats"
will join National Movement crisis will be more complicated. Many
things are depended on "Georgian Dream" - what kind of steps it will
make in the future."
GHN News Agency, Georgia
November 11, 2014 Tuesday
Alik Eroiants: Moscow tries to increase its influence in Georgia
Armenian edition "Lragiri" published interview with Armenian Alik
Eroiants who talks about relations between Georgia and Armenia and
about geopolitical threats.
GHN offers short version of interview.
Question: According to materials published in Russian media in the
project of Russia-Abkhazia and Russia-South Ossetia is considered that
in case of destabilization in Georgia Russia can reach the border
of Armenia with the motive to protect population of Georgia. Is it
possible and is it directed against relations of Armenia and Georgia?
Alik Eroiants: "Such kind of picture is exaggerated. If even Russia has
such kind of task it is very tough to realize it, because it touches
not only Moscow, Tbilisi and Yerevan but whole region. Of course the
situation can be changed in the future - considering Euro Atlantic
integration of Georgia Russia can increase pressure but capturing
Georgian territories is not real. It is not depended only on the
wish of Russia because there are factors of US and European Union
that play role in this issue.
Some people can remind about August 2008 and say that Russia invaded
Georgia, but today it is not real. It is different case that Moscow
tries to increase its influence in Georgia. While the Presidency
of Mikheil Saakashvili Tbilisi was against Vladimer Putin, but new
government has multi vector and balanced politics: on one hand it
continues the course of Saakashvili to the west and on other hand
it tries to make relations with Russia better. Such kind of politics
serves interests of Georgia because the west advices Tbilisi to solve
relations with Russia too."
Question: Georgia is striving to join European Union, Armenia agreed
to join Eurasian Union. Will it create problems in relations between
Georgia and Armenia?
Alik Eroiants: European Union and also Eurasian Union in relations
with Georgia is not connected with Armenia issue. There can be
problems in economic relations but high level ties between Tbilisi
and Yerevan will make these risks neutral. I don't think that Russia
wants to make tensed relations between Georgia and Armenia; it can
be only beneficial for Turkey and Azerbaijan. I want to say that
while implementing balanced politics by the government of Georgia
Tbilisi also notices that influence of Turkey and Azerbaijan grows
in Georgia, however they understand also that such kind of situation
will create problems. That's why Georgia will maintain good relations
with Armenia. Question: There is political crisis in Georgia: those
who left ruling coalition say that the government puts European way
under the question. Brussels and Washington also agrees with. Do you
think the same?
Alik Eroiants: The impression that Georgia seems changed its European
course and turned to Eurasian is exaggerated, however the political
processes in Georgia confirms that the processes will be more
slow. It is underlined not only by Washington and Brussels but also
by Tbilisian officials including the President. This is result of the
politics of Bidzina Ivanishvili who stated that this is necessity to
solve relations with Russia. This thesis is confirmed with the fact
that Irakli Alasania was dismissed exactly with this context. He was
with official visit in Europe and without agreement with the Premier
was negotiating about purchase of arms with France and Germany. May
be it was the reason of dismissal of Irakli Alasania. The leader of
"Free Democrats" was leading independent politics without agreement
with the Prime Minister. The same we can say about the former Minister
of Foreign Affairs Maia Panjikidze. It is clear that the situation is
tough, there is intergovernmental disagreement. But I can't say that
in Georgia there is political crisis. Yes, some Ministers resign but
others will be appointed and it means that the government controls
the situation.
Question: The party of Mikheil Saakshvili expressed readiness to
relate with Irakli Alasania under the "name of European course,"
however "Free Democrats" are not hurry to make agreement on. Is it
possible to strengthen the opposition and to hold early elections?
Alik Eroiants: "After dismissal of the Ministers in the government
there raised issue to maintain Parliamentarian majority, however soon
it became clear that majority will not turn into minority - there
are other parties in coalition. If Republicans and "Free Democrats"
will join National Movement crisis will be more complicated. Many
things are depended on "Georgian Dream" - what kind of steps it will
make in the future."