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What states do you think are the main partners of Georgia at present?
If you take a broad view on this subject it is possible to say that Georgia considers all members of the world community as own partners. However, we are just becoming independent as a member-state of the international concord and, therefore, our relations with the states of various regions worldwide are at different level of development. Of course, the relationships are being established in accordance with priorities in the foreign policy of Georgia. It should be noted that our neighbors are the major partners of Georgia in the sphere of economy. There are Azerbaijan and Armenia on the south of Caucasus. In addition, we actively cooperate with Turkey and support broad enough economic relations with Russia, as well.
I would like note growth of economic cooperation with the United States of America and European countries. The growth is not yet at a desired level for our country. A lot is to be done to achieve high level in the economic collaboration, and first of all, we need to get to level where the economic parameters, standards of Georgian output and cooperation in the commercial and industrial fields with the countries correspond to international level. However, with great satisfaction I would like to note that the cooperation is developing well.
Georgia also brisk up the cooperation with such large countries of the East as China and Japan. Although, collaboration with Japan is still within the framework of the donor-to-recipient relationships and leading role still belongs to aid rather than investments. However, interest of the Japanese business to Georgia is great enough and presently it is planned to implement a number of joint projects. Thus, we believe that in the nearest future our relationships will be established as a solid economic partnership.
As to cooperation with China - it is developing more dynamically. In Georgia the Chinese partners already carry out such projects as construction of small-scale hydroelectric power station. China has more serious plans regarding Southern Caucasus, including Georgia.
I should also note active enough cooperation with Israel. The Israeli companies are one of the leading investors into the Georgia economy.
Lately the Arabian world has interested in the economic relations with Georgia. I hope that the economically developed states of the Arabian world will actively participate with Georgia. It should be noted that a number of delegations representing economic sphere visited Georgia. The delegation considered opportunities of putting into effect important projects in our country.
In addition, as it is known, for the whole region, including our country, the East – West transportation & communication corridor represents the major line for our economic strategy. Hence the member-states of GUUAM are the major partners of Georgia.
Cooperation between Georgia and states of the Middle Asia gets into more specific shape. On the first place – Uzbekistan that use TRACECA line and Kazakhstan oil export of which crosses Azerbaijan and Georgia for a few year. We believe that other states of the Middle Asia will take more active part I the projects which are being put into effect and planned.
How much does Georgia participate in implementation of projects on transportation of the Caspian and Middle Asian energy recourses?
Georgia is interested and actively participates with both neighboring Azerbaijan and states of the Middle Asia in construction of the Trans-Caucasian and Trans-Caspian energy corridor from the East to the West. Turkey is the leading partner of Georgia in the sphere. On one hand Turkey is a great consumer of energy recourses, on the other hand it undertakes a transit function. The Baku-Supsa oil pipeline for transportation of early Azeri oil was the first and most important project implemented for the last years in the South of Caucasus.
In addition, the interstate negotiations on kicking off construction of the Main Export Pipeline on the Baku to Tbilisi to Ceyhan route has already completed. The companies have already got down to preparatory work. It is beyond question that the project of the oil pipeline will be the most important for our region in the XXI century.
The work is ongoing in two directions in parallel. One of the directions is a development of the Trans-Caspian space or transportation of oil of other states of the Middle Asia, first of all, Kazakh oil. There are two projects on the agenda one of which (presently under development stage) is transportation of Azeri gas from Shah-Deniz field through Georgia to Turkey; the second one is a Trans-Caspian gas pipeline from Turkmenistan through Azerbaijan and Georgia to Turkey and then to world markets. It should be noted that the project resulted in a number of issues but I consider it optimistic and reckon that it will be implemented for sure. In the future one can expect the Trans-Caspian oil pipeline and participation of Uzbekistan where growing oil and gas reserves can be observed.
What do you think about prospects of the "Silk Way" restoration?
"Silk Way" is a specific project, a wide concept for establishment of the transportation & communication system that can link through Silk Way the countries of the Far East, in particular, Japan, China, the Pacific coast and South-East Asia with Europe and completely with the West.
TRACECA project covering the land, railway, marine and transport complexes occurs when the point is about restoration of the Silk Way. Yes, TRACECA is important but not the only component of the Silk Way, however, it is already operating and in the process of development. Even institutional establishment of TRACECA took place and this project has serious prospects and it is one year as TRACECA’s headquarter operates in Baku. However, I would like to note that goods transportation, i.e. its transport system, is just one of the Silk Way’s elements. In addition it comprises such an important element as fibro-optic information & communication channel Transasia-Europe that is being created and intended to link the Atlantic coast of Europe with the coast of Pacific Ocean. Two sections of the channel – from Shanhay to the Middle Asia and from the Black Sea coast to Europe are already ready. Presently the work is ongoing on putting its central section into operation – the Trans-Caucasian component. According to already developed project the fibro-optic cable will link Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia with each other. A decision has already been taken to establish a special structure that would be engaged in laying the cable on the seabed of Black Sea. There are a number of options for the cable route. Supposedly, Turkey, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria are going to connect to the cable. Thus, the construction of the grand transcontinental information & communication channel will be completed and it will certainly be the most important element in the Silk Way project.
So, the Silk Way is not just a concept or theory. Some of its components are already in place and working and it has great prospects.
How active is participation of Georgia’s MFA in mentioned international project?
Of course, active participation can be observed from the departments of foreign policy of the countries concerned with all those projects covering many states. It should be noted that the projects require solution of not only economic and technical but also political issues. Therefore, together with colleagues we take active part in organization of international forums, preparation of international agreements needed to put global projects into effect.
I would say that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia has taken very active part in working out agreements on the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project. Presently, we vigorously cooperate with the International Gas Association on development of gas pipelines system. For that purpose a special division has been set up at the Ministry. The new structure now works on large-scale Trans-Caucasian infrastructure projects.
To what extent do the prospects of development of mentioned projects depend on political and economic changes in the neighboring states?
By nature I am an optimist, however, I reckon in this case my optimism has firm foundation. That convinces me because in 1993 I witnessed that appearance of TRACECA and Silk Way terms caused everybody considering them as a fantasy and ironic smile could be found on faces. Now it is all reality and I am once more assured that the projects will be implemented regardless change in the spectrum of geopolitical interests in the regions and relevant to the region because absolutely objective vitally important interests of the region’s states are laid as a basis.
What is present stage of relations between Georgia and Azerbaijan and other member-states of GUUAM economic block?
The relations between Georgia and Azerbaijan are friendly and, as the Presidents of our states more than once have stated it – the relations are exemplary in all spheres including economic cooperation.
Georgia also supports active relations with other states of GUUAM – Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Moldova.
We think that the prospect group of GUUAM, which made a lot for member-states, has an intention of continuing this tradition. However, in contrast to other forums established on the base of similarity of consultancy or political and economic interests, we do not strive for red tape and do not hurry to declare GUUAM as an organization. This is due to the fact that we are firmly convinced, and agreement signed by Presidents of GUUAM member-states is indicative, that first of all it is necessary to do business and then shape it. However, the organizational structure of GUUAM is being developed well. A decision was taken last year to establish national Coordinators Institution and it operate now. The summits of GUUAM and meetings of the Foreign ministers are held on a regular basis. The work is also ongoing for institutional establishment of the organization, however, according to our fundamental position we should not be in a hurry.
To cut a long story short, GUUAM lives, works and, above all, does useful business for own member-states.
What are the relationships between Georgia and CIS states and what do you think about CIS future?
We are striving for active economic and political cooperation with all CIS states. Unfortunately, it is hard enough to see fulfilled this target within the frameworks of the Commonwealth due to weakness and lack of efficiency of the Commonwealth itself and therefore, the emphasize is more placed on bilateral relations between the CIS states. As to future of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Georgia has more than once fixed own position. At the moment the Commonwealth can be used for deepening the economic cooperation only. In all other sphere the Commonwealth turned out to be less efficient, and in reply to the question - For how long the CIS will exist and whether it has prospects - I would say that it has future if by own existence it would contribute to processes of state formation, independence and economic development of the member-states. Otherwise, it will remain just an artificial establishment that is certainly out of our interests.
How do the Georgian authorities regard Russia’s aspiration to introduce visa regime between Georgia and Russia? How will that affect relations between Georgia and CIS states including Russia?
The officials in Georgia have repeatedly stated that introduction of the visa region would become a step backwards. Therefore, Georgia’s relation to the issue is negative, although, we acknowledge that Russia’s right to take such decision is a demonstration of sovereignty. And if Russia earnestly demand introduction of the visa regime, we are ready to start negotiations with Russia and agree on corresponding terms and conditions. This fact will also be a negative in terms of upcoming cooperation between the CIS states.
How does Georgia’s MFA cooperates with other states’ ministries?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia does not act in isolation from realities of the country. It is a part of the Government and executes a function of realizing the state’s interests through mobilizing efforts of the international Commonwealth. That concerns both national issues and specific sectors. Hence, our cooperation with all the Ministries is active enough; for instance, we are closely working with the Defense Ministry for military construction of the country and achievement of international support, as well as, with the Border Security Service on the state’s frontiers defense. We also cooperate with the institutions of the economic sector in terms of double economic cooperation with International Financial Institutions, as well as, with the partners. Therefore, it is hard to find a sphere where we do not collaborate closely with other departments of the country. It is the only way forward.
What are your principles when selecting staff for the Ministry – do you prefer to employ young people or skilled workers?
Our Ministry is very young. Average age is 29 years. This should not be a surprise. The diplomatic corps and the Georgian Service are just being set up. A real establishment of the Ministry started only after the country became independent. Only a few professionals remained in the National Diplomatic Service of Georgia from former diplomatic coprs of the Soviet Union. All other staff have joined and developed significantly in our sight. Though I cannot say that the young people only populate the Ministry. We have a lot of skilled staff members at both the Ministry itself and on mission abroad. Hence, our organization constitutes certain mixture of skilled diplomats and young people who are already now being developed as professional diplomats. Of course, there are numerous problems and shortages; however, I reckon that we can be proud of a lot of what is being done by the young collective of our diplomatic organization for the welfare of the state.