Mediamax’s exclusive interview with Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia David Usupashvili

Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia David Usupashvili will visit Armenia on February 1. On the eve of the visit he talked to Mediamax.

- In an interview with our news agency in January 2013, former Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said it is necessary to duly assess the “huge potential for the development of cooperation between Armenia and Georgia and to elaborate a new and multichannel strategy for interaction”. In your opinion, to what extent do the parties employ that potential today?

- First of all, profiting by this occasion I would like to thank my Armenian counterpart Galust Sahakyan for the invitation. It will be my second visit to Armenia in the rank of the Georgian Parliament’s Speaker and this fact itself also attests to our friendly and good-neighborly ties.

Before proceeding to the question, I would like to extend my condolence to entire Armenia over the Gyumri tragedy. The slaughter of an entire family, including infants is not the tragedy of only the Armenian people but also the humanity. This tragedy was horrifying for the Georgian community - we all filled with severe resentment and pain.

As to greater use of cooperation potential, it should be noted that our intergovernmental ties are many-sided. The transit infrastructure of Georgia is vital for Armenia. The “basilar artery” between Armenia and Russia passes through Georgia. Georgia offers Armenia sea access and access to the world economic space from where it gets virtually all sorts of goods and utilities. Armenia uses the same roads to export its products to Russia and other countries. All of this implies effective cooperation in such a sector of the economy as transport. Armenia and Georgia trade in agriculture, raw materials and construction materials, and tourism is intensively developing.

Traditionally, coffee from Armenia as well as exotic fruit juice used to sell well at Tbilisi stores. But when the Armenian grape appeared on the counters we started thinking – shouldn’t we reconsider our trade ties? But we were then “lulled” – you cannot make wine from it, thus it will not compete with the Georgian. Just kidding!

Now getting in earnest about the matter – let’s cast a glance at the numbers. We registered 50% increase in trade turnover between our countries in 2013. Growth dynamics was observed in 2014 as well, even though the potential was not explored fully. For instance, what about carrying out several economic projects in overall regional context? It would make our products more competitive in the world market. Or, what if Armenian and Georgian tour operators offer a package to foreign tourists, which will also include visiting the neighboring country? This might result in significant increase in tourist flows to the region. But it requires thorough study of all the spheres, careful consideration of such ideas, correct calculation of everything and in-depth analysis in order to define the niche the Caucasian product can gain worldwide.

Certain steps have already been taken to this end, and mutual high-level visits are not the only “evidence” of it. Last October the chairpersons of the committees of the parliaments of both countries had a meeting, the sitting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Armenia and Georgia was held, and joint task forces on economic affairs were set up. All of this points to the clear desire by the legislative and executive powers of our countries to ramp up cooperation on not only general policy matters but also at sectorial level.

- Armenia and Georgia are engaged in different integration projects – Armenia has joined the EEU, while Georgia has signed the Association Agreement with the EU and want to become NATO member. In one of your interviews you stated that the difference in foreign policies should be used in an effort to converge. How can it be applied in practice?

- The foreign policy alignment of our countries indeed differs. Georgia signed the EU Association Agreement, whereas Armenia entered the Russia-formed EEU. Our countries join international organizations on their own volition depending on their interests and considering the mutual relations with the friendly states. I can assure you that Georgia does not enter any organization that might infringe upon its sovereignty. We hope that despite its EEU membership Armenia will preserve a degree of independence that will enable us to persist with our cooperation without third-party intervention. 

Our countries have obtained wide practice in this regard. Historically, the Caucasus region was in the center of geopolitical battles and was under the pressure of empires. Despite that, our ancestors, regardless of what the empires aspired, were wise enough to maintain good-neighborliness and eventually show the door to the unbidden guests. This practice should be taken into account. Despite current political realities, countries in the South Caucasus should accurately identify the best development prospects for our region and have a clear account of the future and progress. They should also clearly determine where fights with the ghosts of the past as well as restriction of freedom occur in our region. If we make a right choice based on values, and if we clearly define the goals and tasks, we will then overcome current challenges through cabals and will not only not harm the historic traditions of good-neighborliness but on the contrary, will also support one another’s development.

Georgia's former PM Bidzina Ivanishvili, Patriarch Ilia II and Parliament speaker David Usupashvili

Photo: REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili

I would like to underline that Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic choice was accounted not only by its own prospects but also by the development prospects of the entire region. After all, the involvement of the South Caucasus into the political-economic boundaries of Europe suggests a better future for all its inhabitants. Thus, the free trade area agreement between Georgia and Armenia opens doors to one of the largest and steadiest markets for not only Georgia but also Armenia and the entire region, on the whole. The closer the EU is to the Armenian borders, the easier it will be for Armenia to supply its goods to the EU market. We do not view our agreement with the EU as an obstacle in our relations with Armenia. We believe Georgia will become a bridge linking the EU and the entire region by shortening the way leading to European benefits. I hope Armenia’s EEU membership also sprang up from such principles. The rest depends on the skills of our entrepreneurs.

- From time to time, the possible restoration of railway communication through Abkhazia, which is of utmost importance for Armenia in order to breach the transit blockade, outcrops. Do Georgian authorities stand ready to discuss it separately from the political issues of the settlement of Georgian-Abkhazian conflict?

- The restoration of railway communication in Abkhazia indeed regularly becomes relevant in media. We understand Armenia’s interest in the restoration of railway communication with Russia, however, Georgia does not discuss this issue. No governmental department holds talks to this end. This issue cannot be viewed out of the context of Russia’s relations with the occupied region of Georgia – Abkhazia.

Apparently, the so-called “allied treaty” recently signed between Russia and occupied Abkhazia adversely affects the discussion of that matter and so does the divergence of views on the UN resolution on the “Status of Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees from Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region”.

- Baku-Tbilisi-Kars new railway might also open a window of opportunities for Armenia but there are opinions that Turkey and Azerbaijan might influence Georgia to “drive out” Armenia, for the latter not to benefit from the railway. What do you have to say on this?

- Georgia’s relations with other countries in the trade-economic, educational, medical or any other sector is regulated by relevant agreements and laws. The Georgian government is free from informal pressures and acts with regard to its own interests. In this respect, it is needless to say Ankara or Baku might affect Tbilisi’s stance. Had there been such pressure, the variety of products Armenia currently receives through Georgia, would not reach it.

- April 24 marks the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide committed in Ottoman Turkey. Should we expect any statement or declaration by the Georgian Parliament on this?

- The response to Gyumri massacre showed once again that the Georgian people feel pained at the grief of Armenian people and beyond doubt, the ethnic cleansing in the early 20th century is a huge tragedy the Armenian people went through. Darting a glance at the modern history of Georgia you will see that the pain of ethnic cleansing is not alien to us.

As to your question, I think we should not expect new approaches or Georgian parliament’s statements on this issue.

Ara Tadevosyan talked to David Usupashvili