Before I start describing Georgia as a regional reforms leader and a country, which is well-known for its success while on its way towards full integration with the European and Euro-Atlantic family, I would like to ask readers whether they personally believe that Georgia is an important country for the West or not.
The most important part of the debate focuses on whether one believes that the West needs a strong, secure and reliable partner in the post-Soviet space, one that seeks democratic development and closer ties with both the EU and NATO. Georgia may become an example of a successful transition from a post-Soviet country to democracy. But the question is whether the West is ready to invest more to achieve this goal.
If the West’s answer is yes, then the next question would have to focus on what strategy the countries in the West have towards Georgia and the South Caucasus region, which is now filled with Russian military forces and other tools the Kremlin uses to put pressure on countries and societies? Russian soldiers are illegally deployed in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
If everyone in the West gives an affirmative answer to the question i just posed, Georgia would rapidly become the strong, pro-democratic ally that the US and Europe seeks in the region. This will enable the country to further promote its cooperation with the EU and NATO with the region.
Georgia is a regional leader when it comes to reform, even now, when Georgia’s democratic development is under an enormous internal threat following protests that took place in June 2020 and parliamentary elections that took place in October of last year. Georgia is a country, where, according to NDI polls published in January 2021, 80% of those who were said they support further integration with the EU, and 74% with NATO.
This support has remained strong regardless of the local political challenges. The Kremlin’s malign influence and propaganda campaigns target Georgia’s Western aspirations. Yes, people are afraid of the Kremlin and consider Putin as the country’s main threat, so much so that, according to NDI polls in 2018, 41% of Georgians believe that Russia’s military is more powerful than that of the Americans’. Georgia still contributes about 800 troops to the 10,000-man Resolute Support NATO mission in Afghanistan; the largest contribution by a non-NATO member. NATO and EU flags are placed in every government office in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi.
Georgians have choosen the West, but the question is: Has the West choosen the people of Georgia?
Does the West really want to see Georgia as a democracy and a part of the Euro-Atlantic family? Is the West really interested in the development of the Anaklia deep-sea port, which could become a hub for logistics, as well as financial and industrial activities at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and a port where the US and NATO may operate? Can the West see an increase in the Kremlin’s military and political influence in the South Caucasus region and how this is a problem?
The approach of the West towards Georgia and the South Caucasus region must change significantly if the answer to the questions above is “yes”. The South Caucasus region is going through a very difficult period; unravelled by the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War late last year, and exacerbated even further by a domestic political crises in Georgia and Armenia amid the economic and social fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Moscow is actively using this period to put more pressure on the countries of the region. The Kremlin’s role in the Karabakh conflict, and the subsequent ceasfire, significantly decreased the role of the West throughout the whole of the Caucasus.
In 2021, regional communities are not discussing whether to choose between Putin’s Russia or democracy, they are discussing whether Russia or Turkey will implement their regional strategies jointly or compete for influence in the region in order to fulfill their ambitions in the South Caucasus.
Whereas both scenarios do not promise anything good for the region, communities do not discuss NATO membership, because joining the alliance for Georgia was a light at the end of a never-ending tunnel that has been blocked by Vladimir Putin.
When the Kremlin uses any crisis to further undermine its neighboring countries, by putting more military and political pressure on them, the West may use the same situation to promote its positive role as the leader of the democratic world and create successful cases in the post-Soviet space by investing more time and resources. The West can still contribute to regional security and stability and promote development in Russia and other former Soviet countries.
Georgia is the best candidate to become a successful example of how a small country can transition from a post-Soviet system to democracy. Georgia’s institutions have only partly been reformed. Nowdays, the country no longer crippled by corruption and conflicts between various interest groups. Aggressive dictators do not rule the nation.
When looked at in parallel with the increase of support for Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova, a successful story in Georgia can be written right away. To achieve this goal, the West’s approach towards Georgia should be changed from “facilitation and assistance” to “patronage”. It should be targeted publicly to help Georgia advance its democracy and join the Euro-Atlantic structures.
A good reason to initiate this format at this time has much to do with the Georgian government’s recently announced plan to join the European Union by 2024. Considering the chaotic developments in Georgia, which we have seen for a few years already, this plan is very far from reality.
To achieve this goal, the new format of a so-called patronage may be initiated. It will require new strategies towards Georgia from the US and EU, as they must address both internal factors related to the Georgian political crisis, as well as post-Karabakh war reality.
The appointment of American/European Special Representatives for Georgian issues may be the first highly effective step to re-boot the development of Georgia’s flagging democracy and, together with Georgian people, address each challenge the country is facing to achieve long-term sustainable success.
Moves like these may, one day, bring Georgia closer to NATO and EU membership, but that will only occur when the political climate in Western capitals allows. These special representatives – with a fresh view on the actual situation on the ground, and a new mandate from their governments – could be given room to suggest new strategies, offer reforms, ensure proper monitoring and an evaluation of the actual results achieved, control the huge amounts of funds provided by American and European taxpayers, and suggest more efficient ways to speed up Georgia’s integration with the West.
Together with the Georgian people, they may demand the fulfilment of all requirements needed to re-boot and further boost Georgia’s democracy. This format should be supported by weekly and monthly dialogues between Georgian, American and European government and civil society communities. It should also be supported by redirecting, or investing more funds, through the civil society sector and civilian-led regional projects.
Such investments should not go through the government, but should be provided directly to different NGOs and expert groups all around the country, each of which will work on the development of a knowledge and value-based initiatives that are resilient against manipulations and propaganda.
Georgian society provides a mandate to the West for these types of measures each year. Georgians want to live in a democratic country, they want more of the West’s traditions and structures in the country, but most importantly, they want freedom and transparency.
64% of Georgians support the placement of a permanent American military base in the country. (according to Edison Research, Oct 2020). Any increase in a positive engagement with Georgia, from either the US or EU, will be very welcomed by most Georgians.
If anyone in the Georgian government is not ready to work harder, and completely in tandem, with our Western friends, the partners should inform society about it immediately so that the people may address this issue during an election cycle. Free and fair elections should be ensured by Georgian society and our Western friends, with no compromises.
Such patronage will require more investment from the West, but it will result in long-term success for Georgia and its people. It will help to promote democracy regionally and demonstrate that the US and Europe are ready to play a significant positive role in the post-Soviet space; a move that would be a powerful counter to the expansionist ambitions of Russia and Turkey.
What is key in this process is that the West must pay better attention to Georgia’s development all the way until the moment when every major sphere of political life in the country is reformed and the rule of law is not only ensured, but becomes inculcated into the fabric of Georgian society.
Georgia is at a crossroads in its quest towards Western-style democratic development and its turn away from its Soviet past. That is why it is critical that the question needs to be asked if the people of the West believe that Georgia is an important enough country to become a part of the Euro-Atlantic family.