Tedo DZHAPARIDZE: “It Is Important that Democracy Be Functional, Not Ideological”

“There has been so much talk recently that the rapprochement between Russia and NATO is positive. Do you think this means that Moscow will change its attitude toward the rapprochement of other post-Soviet countries with the alliance? This is a burning question for both Georgia and Ukraine. President Eduard Shevardnadze said Tbilisi would knock at NATO’s door. Ukraine has already said it is launching a process that will culminate in NATO membership.”

“Everybody remembers very well the Georgian president’s statement about Tbilisi knocking at the NATO door in 2005, which triggered an emotional outburst in some capitals. This political statement illustrates Georgia’s Western foreign political orientation. Of course, this is a difficult and multistage process. We, naturally, welcome the rapprochement between Russia and the West, particularly NATO and the US. Taking into account the strategic relationship between our countries, we highly appreciated Ukraine’s recent decision to integrate into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Although this is a long and winding road, the orientation of Georgia was chosen by its people, president and parliament; even the opposition supports it. But we must, above all, solve a host of domestic problems.”

“Does the North Atlantic alliance really welcome Georgia’s intent to join?”

“There has been no negative reaction or outright rejection. Speaking to me, NATO representatives expressed a generally positive attitude toward our knocking at the alliance’s door. Being aware that this course is complicated, we still think it is irrevocable.”

“Does Georgia receive any support from foreign lobbyists in this quest?”

“I think you are more lucky than we when it comes to lobbyists. In this respect, Georgia’s chief lobbyist is President Eduard Shevardnadze. That the presidential office is being held by such an experienced person who took part in many historic processes is an important factor for Georgia’s integration. Out of Western states, I can name the European countries and the US, although they are aware that Georgia will never achieve its goal unless it solves its inherent problems. Apparently, some will react to this with irritation, but we retain understanding, take any punches, and maintain our progress toward the objective we have chosen.

“I say again that the Ukrainian decision is of a great moral, political, and military-strategic importance for us. What our Ukrainian counterparts did is very important for us all.”

“Did you discuss the problems of Euro-Atlantic integration with the Ukrainian leadership? Did you talk about coordination of actions in this area?”

“We did discuss these issues. We talked about our coordinated efforts not only with respect to NATO. I would say Ukraine and Georgia will have to go through different stages of this road. I think, for example, that Ukraine is closer to its goal than Georgia is. We discussed possible cooperation. And, of course, we will offer any support to our Ukrainian friends in this complex world on this historic path.”

“Did you discuss the problem of a settlement in Abkhazia and the possibility of sending Ukrainian peacekeepers to that region?”

“You must remember that we have long been trying to internationalize the peacekeeping process. We raised this point at the UN in the Group of Friends of the UN Secretary General. Although things are going not so smoothly, I think we will find a common approach and attain our goals. First, we will have this conflict finally settled, and if we manage to involve Ukraine in this process, I think Georgia will only gain from this. For Ukraine’s peacekeeping potential is very important to us.

“Formally, there are some ongoing processes: the UN Secretary General and the Group of Friends of the Secretary General have approved a tentative settlement plan. But, in my opinion, the solution of this conflict is still on hold.”

“What could you say about the prospects of cooperation within the framework of GUUAM? In particular, does the fact that the meeting of foreign ministers has been postponed several times say that GUUAM might soon be dead and buried?”

“I think it is too early to bury it. I would not like to attend the funeral of this organization. It is true that things go roughly. This is the first structure of its kind created in the post-Soviet space and by no means a CIS organization. There are various options, and we must try to make suitable decisions regarding the solution of economic and border problems. As to a GUUAM free trade area, our colleagues have differing points of view. Yet, some interests coincide. I think the very format of GUUAM envisages a combination of different interests. A process of adaptation and formation is underway. The talks between state leaders show they are interested in preserving GUUAM, but there are some problems at the current stage. We discussed these problems in Kyiv and concluded that this organization has a very rich potential and that it is possible to settle certain issues in practice. Perhaps we must be more flexible in establishing the structure. For example, in NATO, some actions and decisions are not binding on all the members. The main thing is to conceive practical projects that would be of interest for both member states and neighboring countries. We have already had interesting talks and meetings with the leaders of Poland and Bulgaria.”

“Is it still possible that, if the organization fails to conceive a project of common interest, it will simply die a natural death?”

“Of course, it is possible. This is why we decided to work actively. We have a plan of the steps Ukraine and Georgia must take in consultation with other GUUAM members in order to preserve this organization.”

“To what extent would it be reasonable to reinforce GUUAM’s political component, especially concerning security policies?”

“You know that the very idea of this organization was conceived by discussing these problems. I think the very notion of security is changing. We discussed these problems, and I think that, taking into account the various aspects of security, including the economy, this component will be very important.”