Georgia tries not to spoil Russian-Turkish relations

A three-day working visit to Turkey by the Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili ended on Wednesday. The official reason for the visit was participation of the Georgian Premier in opening ceremony of the Eurasian Tunnel which connected Asia with Europe under the Bosporus Strait. The head of the Georgian government was the only foreign leader who took part in the ceremony. Kvirikashvili was photographed on the background of a brand-new underground highway together with the Prime Minister of Turkey.

The hosts appreciated the fact that the Georgian Premier arrived to their country in the context of tragic and dangerous development for the second time over a short period of time. In summer, during a failed military coup, Giorgi Kvirikashvili not only clearly supported the legitimately elected president, but also arrived to Ankara as a sign of solidarity. This time, tragic events preceded the Premier’s visit as well – an assassination of the Russia’s ambassador to Turkey.

President Erdogan expressed his gratitude to Kvirikashvili for his support, highlighting that the Eurasian Tunnel would become an important part of the Silk Road from Asia to Europe, as Georgia’s and active participant of the project.

Premier Binali Yildirim called the Georgian colleague ‘dear brother’ and expressed confidence that ‘strategic relations between the two countries’ would further develop.

Of course, Giorgi Kvirikashvili could not help but speak about the recent events. Condemning the assassination of the Russia’s ambassador to Turkey, he mentioned recent terrorist attacks in Turkish cities, stressing that terrorists tried to undermine the atmosphere of peace and cooperation in the region. He spoke about Syria only in a peacemaking context. It is interesting that on that day, The Georgian Dream Party headed by Giorgi Kvirikashvili rejected a demand by Mikheil Saakashvili’s supporters to make a special statement which condemned Russia’s policy in Syria.

An experienced Georgian politician, a multiple member of parliament, the former head of the Information and Investigation Bureau of Georgia, Irakli Batiashvili, told Vestnik Kavkaza that the country’s government “was trying to maintain a necessary balance in relations with Moscow and Ankara.”

“The assassination of the Russia’s ambassador to Turkey didn’t lead to undermining of Russian-Turkish rapprochement,” Irakli Batiashvili said. “The process diminishes risks for Georgia, which have grown after an issue with a Russian aircraft and a killed pilot.”

According to him, “under such conditions, Georgia’s careful and balanced policy in relations with the two powerful neighbors is the only right one.”