An exclusive interview of “Aravot” with the former defense minister of Georgia, former deputy prime minister, now the leader of the “Free Democrats” party, Irakli Alasania.
– Mr. Alasania, first of all, let’s talks about the Armenian-Georgian relations. Armenia is in the possession of Russia’s influence, while Georgia deepens its relations with the West, seeking to join NATO. What does our relationship with Russia affect the Armenian-Georgian relations?
– Pertaining to the security, Georgia and Armenia pursue policies different from each other, in this sense, you are right to say that Georgia seeks to join NATO and the EU while Armenia still thinks that Armenia’s security will be must stable if it has a strategic partnership with Russia. But this in no way effects on our bipartite relations, and I can confirm it as a former defense minister and as a politician. I am confident that Georgia-Armenia relations will develop furthermore and will become deeper in security and defense sector. Hence, the illustrated facts do not affect the Armenian-Georgian bipartite relations in any way. We approach the existing realities with an understanding of why our Armenian brothers have decided so, and they too approach the choice of our country with an understanding. All this does not hamper our bipartite relations.
– In other words, are you satisfied with the current level of Armenia-Georgia relations? What could be done was done, was it not possible to do more?
Read also
– Certainly, it is so, but I would like to pursue more and achieve more in the future. I think Georgia has the chance to become the country that will be able to assist in the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani by making its contribution to this issue. I hope that time will come when we will be able to become a useful party in this matter in future.
– How do you assess Russia’s role in the South Caucasus at this stage? It is a remarkable phase in the region, Turkey-Russia relations are strained. How do you see further developments in this regional on this background?
– The existing realities once again show how unstable the situation is around us because the relationships that were established between Turkey and Russia during 30-35 years collapsed within 15 seconds. This indicates the fact that we, the South Caucasus countries, should think about multipolar policy and security proceed and drive from this vision. In the last two-three years, Georgia is pursuing a pragmatic policy towards Russia. We have radical differences, Russia has occupied a part of Georgia, our posture is t put an end to this occupation, if not now, then in the future. But we reckon with Russia as a nuclear superpower, we cannot change the geography, thus we must have pragmatic relationships with Russia. I do not think that there will be a breakthrough in the relations with Russia in the next ten years, however, a process of normalization of relations is underway and soon the visa regime will be simplified. We strive to focus on cultural and humanitarian relations. So far, I do not see a breakthrough in the political relations as long as Putin and his team are in the Russian political elite. But we need do everything to give no chance to them to plunge Georgia into confrontations. The situation is complicated but I think we were side by side here for centuries and millennia and we survive. In my opinion, new prospects are opened up before us, we have signed the EU Association Agreement and I believe that it will be a new impetus for the development of the Georgian economy while now, the economy is dictating policy. If we become an economically powerful state, I think we would be more capable of defending the interests of our country.
– Given the fact that Armenia accessing to the Eurasian Economic Union, and Georgia is on the threshold of establishing new economic relations with Europe, can the Armenian-Georgian economic relations appear in more favorable condition driven by this reality than they were before?
– I think, yes. We need to be more creative in this regard. Our relations can provide opportunities to our Armenian entrepreneurs, we can established mixed companies in the business and then the products can appear in the European market, and it is a market of around 500 million, therefore, we must use every opportunity to establish economically mutually beneficial bipartite relations.
– Let’s talk about the domestic political situation in Georgia. Will your party, the “Free Democrats”, participate in the parliamentary elections scheduled in the fall?
– Yes, of course.
– What is the situation like in Georgia? It leaves an impression that a particular disappointment was raised in your society over Bidzina Ivanishvili’s government, even there are regular talks about the possible return of the former president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili. Now, what is the situation for the political forces a few months before the elections?
– Sixty percent of our society, according to various sociological polls and surveys, have not yet decided whom to vote for in the upcoming elections. Especially, the votes of those non-oriented are not in favor of the ruling party. I think our society is tired of the Georgian political debate, and they are tired of both the former ruling “United National Movement” party and Ivanishvili’s “Georgian Dream” party. I think we, the “Free Democrats,” will be successful to become the master of the situation, we hope that the majority of this 60 percent of society that is still undecided will support us. It’s true, we have disagreements with other parties but the majority of the political parties and politicians share our opinion that the development prospect of Georgia is the European path. I hope that the forthcoming elections in Georgia will truly provide diversity, and these elections will be another step in the strengthening of democratic institutions, because there are few countries in the post-Soviet Union that have managed to carry out a regime change through democratic elections. Hence, we hope that the upcoming elections are an excellent opportunity.
– Is Saakashvili’s return possible?
– Practically, I rule it out as first of all he is now in Ukraine’s political life, secondly, I do not think that at this stage there is any possibility that Saakashvili’s supporters will return to power because the wounds that appeared among the society in the last years of his tenure are preserved until now, while this period was very authoritarian governance period and a large number of systemic errors were allowed.
EMMA GABRIELYAN
“Aravot” daily, 07.04.2016
