Even if Georgia, unlike Ukraine and Moldova, has not yet been accepted as a candidate for accession, Garibaschvili’s hope of EU membership lives on. “Our goal is to become a member of this European family,” he said on Friday after a meeting with Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) in Vienna. He promised support, but also emphasized that EU integration of the Western Balkans was important for Austria.
The ÖVP head of government also interprets the fact that the EU heads of state and government are demanding further reforms from Georgia before candidate status is possible as a “perspective” for those responsible for the government in Tiflis (Tbilisi). “Democracy and the rule of law cannot be taken for granted.” But there must be “incentive and motivation” to approach the EU in this way. Problems should not be denied, but must be solved, said Nehammer. “Progress comes from the solution.”
Nehammer: Austria will stand by Georgia
Rules are needed for the EU accession process, but Austria will support Georgia. For example, when it comes to creating legal security for investments or stability and security. For example, increased cooperation in the fight against organized crime is planned. Georgia is an important, geostrategic partner in a security-politically challenging situation, said Nehammer and mentioned that “20 percent of the country is occupied by Russian troops”. But precisely because of this, Georgia has the potential to be a “mediator” in a security policy dialogue. Russia has occupied the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia since a brief war in 2008.
Garibashvili stated that Georgia is ready to work through the “twelve points” that the EU has assigned to the country in order to achieve candidate status. And this together with the opposition and civil society in order to put the EU rapprochement on as broad a basis as possible. His country has already come a long way. “We have inherited the legacy of an authoritarian country,” said the head of government, who presented his country as an “exemplary democracy.” “Human rights are guaranteed. Freedom of the media too. In Georgia you can set up a new television station in ten days without there being any major hurdles.” These achievements should also be recognized.
Nehammer also recalled that at the EU summit Austria had pushed for the status of Bosnia-Herzegovina to be addressed as well. This is also of mutual interest due to Austria’s geographical location. After all, Bosnia-Herzegovina is a country where “violence” is once again threatening.
Garibashvili on the war: “We experienced it in 2008”
Garibaschvili was “concerned” about the situation in Ukraine, which was hit by the Russian war of aggression. “We experienced that in 2008. But there is no alternative to peace. We must end the war.” Nehammer seconded: A war is always a “human tragedy” and the worst solution in politics.
In view of the Ukraine war and Ukraine’s accelerated rapprochement with the EU, the Georgian government also submitted an application for membership in Brussels in March. While Ukraine and Moldova were named candidate countries at the end of June, Georgia has to be patient. At their summit, the EU heads of state and government refrained from also granting Georgia the status of a candidate country. It was said that Georgia first had to meet other reform requirements. Since the summit there have been pro-European demonstrations in Georgia, which are also directed against the government. Activists accuse her of doing too little for EU integration.
Georgia has already gone through a war with Russia. President Mikheil Saakashvili has been at the helm since the 2003 Rose Revolution. He implemented Western reforms and boldly brought his country closer to the EU and NATO. In doing so, he drew Russia’s displeasure. In August 2008, he lost a five-day war against Russia over Georgia’s breakaway and Moscow-backed regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. In a very short time, Russian troops were in front of the capital Tiflis (Tbilisi), but they later withdrew from the Georgian heartland. Tens of thousands of people were displaced from South Ossetia.
After that, Saakashvili lost support from the Georgians, took on increasingly authoritarian traits, was voted out and went into exile to avoid legal prosecution in his homeland. He went to Ukraine as a presidential adviser and governor. Despite being convicted in absentia in Georgia of abuse of office, he returned to Georgia the year before and was promptly arrested. His National Movement party leads opposition to the ruling Georgian Dream party, which has been in power since 2012. At the beginning, the party had also gathered very strong pro-European forces in the alliance.
Prime Minister Garibashvili was during his one-day visit to Vienna accompanied by Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili, who met with his counterpart Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP). The main topic of the conversation was also Georgia’s European perspective. Schallenberg: “We support Georgia’s desire for an EU perspective. Especially in light of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, it is in our strategic interest for Georgia to be firmly anchored in the European family.”
But it is also clear “that the Georgian government has to do its homework,” said Schallenberg in a statement by the foreign ministry. “The first reform steps are a positive signal, but there is still a long way to go and all relevant actors need to stand shoulder to shoulder at national level. The statement by the European Commission clearly sets out the roadmap, and we are happy to support Georgia.”
The former Soviet republic has maintained an association and free trade agreement with the EU since 2014. When the strongly pro-European forces were marginalized and withdrew from the Georgian Dream alliance, the government’s pro-EU course also flagged. The country is located on the Black Sea in the South Caucasus. It has around three million inhabitants. Georgia is a priority partner of the Austrian Development Cooperation (OEZA). Austria and Georgia are celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.
Source: Nachrichten
