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THE RUSSIAN-GEORGIAN RELATIONS
KONSTANTIN GABASHVILI,
Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, the Parliament of Georgia
In my opinion, the deterioration of the Georgian-Russian relations maybe first of all accounted for by the on-going conflict in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Unfortunately, stagnation in conflicts resolution, and actions, failing to provide solutions cause strong discontent in Georgia.
Consequently, Tbilisi is convinced that Moscow deliberately encourages the conflict moods in the South-Ossetian and Abkhazian zones to keep Georgia from rapprochement with Europe and NATO accession.
In reality there are two modes in the relations of our countries. The first – and the worst – maybe referred to as “rhetorical”, or “verbal” and is based on mutual insults.
The second one is true political. Sometimes it works out, sometimes not. Sorry to say, but Russia’s decision to impose the trade embargo on the number of Georgian goods definitely was a “no-no”.
For some reason in Russia there are quite a number of those who think that the measure will spark a profound social and economic crisis in Georgia, and forces, loyal to Russia, will come to power. It is a deeply wrong assumption. Embargo will not result in economic collapse.
The roots for such an approach are evident, and they are to be sought in Georgia itself. The problem is that the Russian leadership is being fed with the wrong information, while the funds aimed at supporting the pro-Russian forces simply waste away or get lost in someone’s pockets.
I assume that this state of affairs will not last long, and common sense and good judgment will win over. But to achieve this, an end should be put to that flow of the wrong information, which is sent to Russia. As of today, Russia gets a false image of the situation.
For example, there’s been no talk about increase in budget income so far. However, in the year 2003, before the “Rose Revolution”, the budget amounted to $500 mln, and by the year 2006 it went up to $2.2 billion. Under such conditions it is wrong to expect economic collapse. Besides, setting aside the embargo on certain goods, Georgia succeeds in diversifying its markets and compensating all plausible losses.
One way or the other, Georgia will most likely terminate relations with the CIS. Moreover, Russia literally pushed Georgia out of the CIS by imposing visa restrictions and trade and economic barriers.
Should the Russian authorities have taken a different stance, though, Georgia’s appreciation could have been immense, as it will be upon the Russian peace-keeping forces’ withdrawal. The bigger joy will be aroused by Russia’s actual desire to put more effort in resolving conflict in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. For that we suggest the negotiation table at all levels.
Now Russia seems to be intentionally pushing Georgia towards NATO and rapprochement with the West. But in reality this is also the way to approach Russia as well. Russia is a European, not an Asian country.
If Russia keeps pursuing this path, Georgia will remain a good neighbor, if not – Georgia is still going to get what it wants, but having built up negative attitude towards the Russian establishment. We should and we can move forward as two neighboring democratic countries. However, Russia at the moment prefers to keep to quite a different viewpoint.
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