Ivanishvili’s Armenian visit adds fuel to confrontation with Saakashvili
Georgian president’s reaction is clear; his efforts to please his
Muslim neighbours are collapsing now.
The Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili could not but visit
Yerevan, and not because of his preceding visit to Baku. The
significance of Georgia’s Armenian community in the country’s life in
far greater than that of the Azerbaijani one, and this has its reasons
indeed. Saakashvili, on Turkey’s advice, zealously supported the
Azerbaijanis, and the Georgian Dream, now at power, is trying to
minimize the Muslim influence in Tbilisi.
January 19, 2013
PanARMENIAN.Net – It’s hard to say whether Ivanishvili will succeed in
this or not, particularly given the fact that the president has still
maintained his power and also enjoys Western support. The latter has
decreased now, though. The concerns of Saakashvili’s Western allies
are clear; they do not want to see any swing to Russia at all.
However, whether they wish it or not, the fluctuation is obvious,
though both the Foreign Ministry and Ivanishvili claim the country’s
foreign policy course has seen no changes. Actually, this is not so.
During his visit to Yerevan Bidzina Ivanishvili said: `I want to say
that I have many Armenian friends both in Georgia and outside the
country, in particular, in Russia. Prior to parliamentary elections I
visited settlements inhabited by Armenians, and I got a hearty
welcome. We understand each other well, and the outcome of the vote
proved this. The government I head will do its best for Armenians to
feel at home in our country, will make every effort to provide for
their integration and will keep all the promises.’The topic of Armenia
was also covered during the meeting with the Catholicos of All
Armenians Karekin II. Ivanishvili told His Holiness that the teaching
of the History of the Armenian People will be organized in Armenian
schools of Georgia. As to the Armenian churches, the Georgian PM
pledged he would personally ensure restoration of the churches, and
all necessary actions will be taken immediately to preserve the
Armenian churches in Georgia. With regard to release of the Armenian
political activist in Javakhk Vahagn Chakhalyan, Ivanishvili said the
issue is under consideration now.
Of course, the meeting in Yerevan touched upon the question of
potential restoration of Abkhaz railway communication; still, this
requires settlement of several issues. `I believe this is possible…You
know, there are no problems in relations between Georgia and Armenia.
Still, we have a very big problem in relations with Russia. The
problems were huge, and unfortunately, they remain so up today. We
strongly hope and try to restore and normalize the ties with Russia as
soon as possible. The hardest and most challenging issues are those
related to Georgia’s territorial integrity… This issue, perhaps,
will not be settled soon,’ Ivanishvili said adding that the problems
can be settled quicker and easier if all parties demonstrate the will
to do so. The Georgian side voiced its committment for this.
Reaction of Georgian president Saakashvili followed immediately.
`Restoration of the railway communication from Georgia to Abkhazia
does not meet the interests of Tbilisi. The statement Ivanishvili
voiced in Armenia raises concerns, and it does not take Georgia’s
strategic and geopolitical interests into account,’ he declared.
Saakashvili further complained that `the ties between Turkey and
Georgia have faced serious complications.’ `Many Turkish investments
are suspended. Turkey is out key supporter in NATO integration; by
creating problems in relations with Turkey we are losing the historic
chance of accession to NATO. Azerbaijan is also Georgia’s strategic
partner; hence proposing issues hastily, with no serious consultation
with all our neighbours is unacceptable. I hope this was a rash
statement; otherwise, we are facing a heavy statement,’ the Georgian
president said. Prior to visiting Baku, Ivanishvili spoke about the
inexpediency of Kars-Akhalkalak-Baku railway project.
Georgian president’s reaction is clear; his efforts to please his
Muslim neighbours are collapsing now. In addition, there is the
statement by Georgian Foreign Minister Maya Panjikidze on the
conflicts in Caucasus that Azerbaijani media distorted and
misinterpreted.
Actually, it’s too early to speak about Georgian foreign policy’s
serious tendency towards Russia; the situation will become clear after
the presidential elections. Still, neither Georgia nor its neighbours
need the current diarchy; the civil war of 1990s is still fresh in
people’s mind.
Karine Ter-Sahakian