On October 18, the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin visited Georgia. This visit was perceived by our politicians as a special occasion and almost an event. Whether it was Lloyd Austin’s visit to Georgia an event, , we will talk about it with a guest of our newspaper, but the fact is that the US Secretary of Defense made completely different statements compared to what we have heard so far. The first is that he did not say a single word about NATO integration, and the second is that he did not prohibit but at the same time, did not allow us to participate in any joint formats with Russia. It is also the fact that the government, which is switched to the second round of the elections, does not pay attention to this. Gulbaat Rtskhiladze, Head of the Eurasia Institute, talks about the current events in the Transcaucasia:
– The visit of the US Secretary of Defense to Georgia, Ukraine and Romania was of introductory nature. For Lloyd Austin, this was his first visit, and he needed such introductory meetings in a country most strongly influenced by American influence, so I did not see anything special during the visit of the US Secretary of Defense.
– At first glance, it seems that nothing important has happened, but it is interesting what is behind this visit and, it is talked about a lot by political scientists and politicians.
– Austin’s visit to Georgia is part of the US strategy. They are trying to maintain their influence in the Black Sea region – this is the primary goal of America. During his visit, the US Secretary of Defense once again checked his allies, more precisely, the vassals. He was interested in the situation in Georgia – whether something is happening that is not acceptable to the United States, especially in the field of defense. The US Secretary of Defense clarified everything and the situation was coordinated. Although the visit of the US Secretary of Defense is not a daily reality, I repeat, there is nothing special in it, nothing special has happened and it can not be considered an “event”.
– One of the journalists asked the US Secretary of Defense about Georgia’s membership in NATO. Lloyd Austin limited himself to a general phrase, as if he even avoided answering and focusing on the ongoing reforms and progressive development in Georgia.
– Naturally, Georgia’s integration into NATO is a canned topic. The government knows this too. We will talk about what NATO integration means. Our country will not be able to join NATO in the next few years. The so-called cooperation between Georgia and NATO continues, which is inactive, although joint exercises are held, but still. . . When I talk about inactive relations with NATO, I mean the political part. . .
– Why do you think that our relations with NATO are not active in the political part, they always actively interfere in the ongoing processes in Georgia and we almost do not make important decisions without them. . .
– The fact is that there are no plans to deepen relations between NATO and Georgia, at least not today, and you yourself said that the US Secretary of Defense did not even talk about it. Whatever the rhetoric about NATO integration years ago, it is at that stage today and has not taken a step forward. We do not have any new agreement, contract, signature. . .
– The US Secretary of Defense was also asked a question in the „3 + 3“ format. In this case, too, his answer was unclear. He neither confirmed nor refused to participate in the mentioned format for Georgia. . .
– A very important question on a very important topic. The US Secretary of Defense reiterates the consolidated position of the US administration, which the US Ambassador to Georgia, Kelly Degnan, has repeatedly stated is demagoguery, and that is: until Russia fulfills the terms of the signed document, does not withdraw its troops, no format can be discussed with Russia. This is a gross interference in the internal affairs of Georgia and at the same time unequivocally against Georgia.
If the United States used to mask the negative attitude of Georgia to engage in some kind of dialogue with Russia in order to benefit our country, Waitu, this is not the case today. We remember that both America and Europe always told us to establish relations with Russia and then help us to deepen these relations, but today it is the opposite – today they tell us openly: first Russia to end the occupation and then talk. But, if we do not talk to the neighboring country, how to solve the issue of occupation, no one talks about it.
The „3 + 3“ format is very favorable for Georgia. Our participation in a similar format initiated by Russia means acknowledging that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are not really independent states, that they are not international entities.
Turkey, Iran and Russia will be involved in the „3 + 3“ format from outside the Caucasus, and Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia from the Transcaucasia. If Russia is lobbying for this format and wants to make it a reality, it is very good for Georgia. It turns out that the `occupant` does not recognize independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, otherwise, the format would be „3 +5“
Russia is clearly not asking for Abkhazia and Ossetia to be included in this format, which is very good, and instead of focusing on this issue, no one is voting. Moreover, they even refused to participate in the mentioned format. It is a shame to ignore this topic in this way. Only the newspaper “Georgia and the World” talks about such an important topic, others are silent, unfortunately. . .
They get a lot of finances from Russia as if the parties have taken millions, they came out and said that the fate of Georgia is being decided here. Let’s grasp what Russia itself gives us. Georgia should say that its achievement is this format, but do not refuse to participate in it!
Changes are taking place in the region after the Karabakh war, trying to avoid a new war. Positions will be reconciled between the parties. The „3 + 3“ format is necessarily needed for dialogue, radical changes are most likely not included in this process. The format is designed to establish peace in the region.
– Turkish Prime Erdogan announced the ambassadors of ten countries as persona non grata. Among these ten countries is the United States. . . Does Erdogan remain a hope for Iran and Russia? In that case, what danger will our country face?
– Erdogan has warned everyone not to cross red lines in their relations with his country. Turkey has no hope for anyone, it has hope for its people, its armed forces. Erdogan has strong positions and does not tolerate even small interference in the internal affairs of the country. It is clear that Osman Kavala is a political refugee who was acquitted by the European Court of Human Rights, but the Turkish judiciary does not think so.
I do not know exactly what is going on around this person, but since Erdogan has the right to distrust the ambassadors of so many countries, this is noteworthy and his decision will not be unfounded. Just calling on ambassadors to release a prisoner will not be a reason. . . Turkey’s foreign policy vector is multifaceted, it does not mean that Turkey will completely cut ties with ten countries, but it will be a serious mess between the countries, although Erdogan’s behavior has another side – the United States and other countries will try to make moderate statements towards Turkey. . .
Turkey has strong positions in the northern provinces of Syria, as well as in the northern provinces of Iraq, and Erdogan has a trump card – he controls migrants trying to enter Europe. Erdogan can “burn” the EU border, which no one wants. Although it has some disagreements, Turkey will deepen relations with Russia and Iran, with Russia linking it to energy projects.
– The British ambassador is not among those announced as persona non grata
It is true the British ambassador is not mentioned among such ambassadors, but that is because this state is guided by other criteria and it does not often interfere in the internal affairs of countries, the British ambassador did not sign the request for Kavala’s release. It seems Britain does not want to strain relations with Turkey.
Interviewed by
Eka Naskidashvili
