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Fitting the Caucasus into a Global Framework: Georgian Perspectives and International Stakes

Speech by Ambassador Linas Linkevičius at the Rose-Roth Seminar in Tbilisi, Georgia,

23-25 March 2011

Panel discussion: Euro-Atlantic integration of Georgia

We are meeting shortly after the important NATO Summit in Lisbon, where the Alliance reconfirmed its role in the World Security architecture, answered to the questions on  raison d’être of our organization, reconfirmed core tasks of the Alliance – especially, the collective defense. The decisions of Lisbon Summit also substantially raised the level of co-operative security defining it as a core task of the Alliance.

It is my conviction that interaction of and cooperation among the states and different organizations, like NATO, European Union, OSCE, have been and should remain the foundation of security and stability in Europe. It has its difficulties and deficiencies, but it has no alternatives and new alternatives are not needed. Security, based on cooperation, should remain the basic principle of the Euro-Atlantic community and of the international relations on the whole. The philosophy of the “balance of power” has no place in contemporary Europe.

Lisbon Summit tasked the North Atlantic Council to develop a more efficient and flexible partnership policy. It was declared that the Alliance will consult with all interested partners to ensure their full ownership. I think that the “ownership” should be the guiding principle in the forthcoming discussions on the partnership reform, during the process of consultations, until a final decision is reached.  I hope that NATO partners will benefit from the partnership policy reform and Georgia’s role here is of significant importance. Let me use this opportunity and express our appreciation to our Georgians friends on your significant contribution to strengthening the Euro-Atlantic security and stability. Georgia’s involvement in NATO-led operations and missions turned it into a solid security provider. Having 4.7 million of population Georgia has sent almost 1000 troops to support the ISAF mission. You carry more than your weight is, and frankly speaking you provide more security than you consume. This is an inspiring example. Georgia’s participation is also welcomed in addressing the new challenges, such as cyber threats or energy security.

Although flexibility becomes a key-word in NATO‘s cooperation with our partners, in Lisbon we reconfirmed that specificity of our existing partnerships will be preserved. Therefore NGC will continue to play a major role in the cooperation between Georgia and NATO. Georgia deserves our special treatment: open door policy and your membership perspective, NATO‘s readiness to assist your country to prepare for membership obligations are still and will be valid.

As far as integration into NATO is concerned, the Bucharest Summit gave Georgia an unprecedented promise that she will become NATO member. This statement was repeated and reconfirmed during forthcoming Summits: in Strassbourg/Kehl and in Lisbon. To put it clearly, despite difficult and controversial political conditions, commitments of NATO are in place and working. Many questions were raised about the Membership Action Plan. But those who know the substance, they all understand, that the Annual National Program currently implemented by Georgia is de facto the same Membership Action Plan with the same spectrum of issues to be discussed with the Alliance, and with the same feed-back mechanism, which is essential in the process.

I am always comparing our Lithuanian case during our accession process with the situation of our Georgian friends. We applied for the membership in 1994, we were active and tried to make full use of all instruments we had in our possession. We were given the status of the Membership Action Plan, but no one was ready to promise any membership perspective. The feed-back mechanism was working vaguely, we had no special commission, no special framework. The only thing we knew was that we should apply strategic patience, continue with reforms, not just wait and see, but use the time for improving, strengthening relations with the Alliance.

We knew quite well that the decision on membership will be a political one, will depend not only on practical, tangible, measurable criteria, but also on political environment. We simply had to catch the momentum and use it when the time came. I give the same advice to Georgian friends. I can understand when you are asking: “give us the timetable, give us concrete tasks and homework, tell us how and when we will be members of the Alliance”. Unfortunately, no one can answer because of the reasons I have just mentioned.

As regards Georgia’s relations with Russia we support the “constructive unilateralism” offered by the President of Georgia last November and call for the same reciprocity form the Russian side. We expect a constructive reaction from Russia. The recent decision by Russia to deploy anti-missile equipment “Smerch” (or in NATO terminology – “Tornado”) with a range of 100 km from Georgian capital could hardly contribute to the required constructiveness.

We agree that it is very important to continue urging not only Russia, but also the international community to call Russia to reciprocate and to implement its commitments. We should not shy away from terms “occupation” and “ethnic cleansing” since they could help Russia to evaluate the situation more seriously and to pay attention not only to the respect of human rights in the occupied territories but also to dialogue. Georgia’s pledge in November was accompanied by a call for dialogue, sending a simple message: “peace is the only solution, and a comprehensive dialogue is the only way to achieve it”. This is a positive call, and we are waiting for the response to this call.

Georgia is on the right way now. Its constructive approach in peaceful resolution of the occupied South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions is commendable and your efforts to develop ambitious reintegration policy are very well assessed by the international community.

On its road towards the Euro-Atlantic integration Georgia made substantial progress from a semi-failed state to a reform tiger. Georgia is becoming a very strong performer and an outstanding example for other neighboring countries. Tangible changes were made in the field of economy and social life, in the fight against corruption, police reform, foreign investments have been flowing in, favorable climate has been created for business. I myself remember dozens of policemen standing on the crossroads and taking bribes. Thanks to the prudent decisions of your administration all this disappeared and Georgia is becoming a flourishing country sharing the same democratic values as the other Euro-Atlantic countries.

Recently we endorsed the Georgian Annual National Program for 2011. Comparing it with the previous one I have noticed a steady progress in many areas. So far Georgia has some tasks to fulfill this year. One of them is the democratic package (electoral code, judiciary reform, media ownership, media law) and public diplomacy, particularly regarding Georgia’s participation in ISAF. Nevertheless Georgia is in a very good position to reach the progress in all these areas and there shouldn’t be major problems in fulfilling these goals.

Georgia still remains committed to the value-based policy. And rightly so. Values are immensely important, otherwise we run the risk of building a partnership that is primarily based on mere cubic meters of gas or oil and the beneficial business contracts. Although such a partnership is important, it will not endure. On the other hand, neither values, nor democratic reforms will prevail without real stability and security in the region. In this context Georgia is doing its best to be security “producers”.

Situation that you are facing now is not easy, but there is no reason for the integration fatigue, because you are not wasting time. You are pursuing reforms for the sake of your own country, not just because you want or need to please the EU or NATO. 

Today we have a duty to encourage, not to discourage the people of Georgia on the road to the Euro-Atlantic and European integration. Therefore, the NATO decision to offer a membership perspective to Georgia and the EU Eastern Partnership are the right steps in this direction. The NATO’s and the EU’s closer relations with its eastern neighbors, free trade agreements, fewer barriers for traveling, studying and doing business with those countries create fresh opportunities and give hope that one day we will achieve the ideal of a Europe whole, secure, and free.

I realize that the road lying ahead of us in the upcoming year will not be easy. But by working together we can overcome every difficulty and the current global circumstances give us a unique chance to do that. We have the necessary instruments and powers to address global security and other challenges. What we need is a renewed commitment for closer cooperation based on principles and common values because that remains the most effective strategy for creating opportunities, defending peace and advancing hope worldwide.