How can two delegations represent one and the same country on a high-level international forum? it’s obviously ridiculous

InterPressNews sat down with former Minister of Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Strategic Research Center Head, Irakli Menagharishvili, to discuss the issues linked to Georgia’s security.

- Russia’s move to annex the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine and to militarily intervene in the eastern regions of Ukraine have spoiled the relations between Russia and the West to the fullest and have substantially changed climate in the International scene. As the vast majority of experts claim, a war for setting new world order has already been launched under Russia’s initiation. Despite the fact that the EU has imposed a number of sanctions on the aggressor country, the Russian propaganda continues – this country is till appealing to Germany and a great deal of other European states to get rid of America’s influence. In a nutshell, an incontrovertible fact is that the crises in Ukraine that have already come to a head have rocked the entire world. How would you evaluate the present situation in the international stage?

-- To cut it short, the level of uncertainty has substantially increased throughout the world. The erosion of the international order started long ago. In some regions and, first of all, in the regions of the post-Soviet space, the international institutes have been subjected to unremitting pressure. However, today’s developments have shaken the entire world and have posed the problems to each of us. These events do not obviously concern only one or two countries; these events do concern each of us. Now the eyes of the entire world are set on Ukraine. Russia’s aggression again this state and the actuation of the Islamic organizations in the Middle East have obviously attracted our attention. An “Islamic State” has turned out to be a totally new phenomenon – this so called state is a terrorist entity like Al-Qaida and not an Islamic country with its national characteristics. It aims to form a prosperous Islamic state. And most importantly, it can now be viewed as an owner of a rather serious military potential and as a serious threat to the world stability.

In my mind, the present developments in Ukraine are of paramount significance. Russia has openly, even officially, started taking military actions in the country and directing its overwhelming aggression against the hapless nation. And by doing this it has obviously breached all internationally recognized fundamental principles. The first victim of its belligerent stance has proved to be Crimea for the annexation of which it has used a pretext that is not a far cry of that of fascist Germany’s. This was followed by a war – which aims to create such regions in this country that were once created in Georgia thanks to a frozen Russian-Georgian conflict -- in the south-eastern parts of Ukraine; and this war has continued thus far. All this events have advanced aggressive nationalism in Russia to a new phase of its development.

In the last two weeks, the processes having taken place in Russia have involved new aspects. The Russian leaders have started issuing threats towards Moldova, Baltic States and even Kazakhstan. And thanks to all this, Russia has become and uncontrollable and unrestrained country. It’s difficult to say to what the ongoing developments will lead us if the International Community does nothing to rectify the situation.

-NATO Wales Summit that was to respond to Russia’s aggressive steps against Ukraine ended last week. Regarding the military and political aspects of the summit, they have issued radically different evaluations. Have Brussels taken a strong stand against Russia because of its actions in Ukraine? Can its response be defined as adequate?

- Responses from NATO and the EU are really different. In my mind, NATO has used all levers against Russia that were in its hands in the present situation. One of the key issues discussed at the summit was naturally that of Ukraine’s. The steps from Russia have been defined as illegal and its move to militarily intervene in Ukraine has been condemned by each and every NATO member country. In addition, NATO decided to take concrete steps in this direction; a decision to construct the military infrastructure of NATO in eastern European states has also been made. Plus, they plan to found a body that will enable them to shield the new NATO member states from any kind of aggression from Russia.

Along with the U.S., the EU has elaborated two packages of new economic sanctions against Russia. And these sanctions have already posed serious economic problems to the aggressor country. Although, generally speaking, the response from the West to Russia’s taken steps can really not be defined as adequate. Obviously, they are not enough to bridle Russia or deter its unceasing aggression.

As it appears, the West has failed to work out how to deal with the Russian bear. Meanwhile, the latter uses different pranks and well-known expedients to Georgians to put its plans into practice. For example, prior to the NATO Wales Summit, the Russian leader has signed the Minsk protocol to create an illusion that it tries to resolve the conflict. And, as a matter of fact, this has turned out to be auspicious for Russia. They planned to exercise new set of economic sanctions against this country on 8 September, but they put this process on hold. Thus, this process has been halted thanks to Russia’s expedients.

To sum up, the West has failed to hamper the Russian leader from realizing its plans. And only time will tell what happens in the future.

- How would you evaluate the decisions by the Alliance regarding Georgia – their move to grant us the package on “intensified cooperation’ as well as their intention to set up the military base in our country?

- These decisions were nothing new. On the contrary, they were expected to make this decision and the Georgian people knew this. The new program that NATO has elaborated in terms of Georgia is definitely beneficial for us. Broadened relations with the West are also huge step forward. Although at the same time we must keep in mind that this does not mean that NATO has assumed the responsibility to safeguard Georgia and ensure its security. Thus, the political upper crust must keep working hard in this direction. It’s without question that Russia is strongly determined to materialize its plans, and it will stop at nothing on earth to achieve its goal. And this, by all odds, jeopardizes Georgia’s security.

- The opposition continues pinning blame on the Government and claims that our authorities have held back from giving a clear-cut position when it comes to Ukraine. They take the acting authorities to task and accuse them of refraining from criticizing the Kremlin in the international stage? Do this allegations ring true and is our Government’s decision to abstain from strongly criticizing the Kremlin in the international scene right?

-These allegations are unfounded. The response to the Kremlin’s taken steps could have been harsher but it does not mean that we can issue such kind of accusations against the acting authorities. The position adopted by Georgia is absolutely clear-cut, and the statements from the Parliament, the President as well as the Foreign Ministry are a visible testimony to this. Although we have left to do much more in this direction – our friend Ukraine is in need of assistance and we must obviously give it a helping hand.

As for our Government’s reluctance to pass strong judgment and harsh criticism on Russia in the internationals scene, I don’t think that such a policy is inauspicious for us. On the contrary, we have already signed the landmark pact with the EU; this has done without fanfare though.

- The issue whether or not the President must attend the UN Assembly has been thrown into the mix; the statements by the President and the Foreign Minister have made this issue immensely acute today. Two leaders have never represented one and the same country at the UN Assembly. This will obviously wither our reputation and damage the image of the country on the international scene. What kind of a comment could you release regarding this issue?

- The aim of our interview was to discuss the issues linked to Georgia’s pursued policy in the international scene. As for this incident, if we can call it an incident, it has nothing to do with Georgia’s foreign policy and international relations. And talks regarding this subject must end as soon as possible as it obviously damages our reputation.

How can two delegations represent one and the same country on a high-level international forum? It’s by all odds nonsense; however, this issue has nothing to do with our foreign affairs.

Koba Bendeliani

InterPressNews