Interview by Georgy Kalatozishvili, Tbilisi. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
A Russian-Georgian forum has been opened in Turkey within “the Istanbul process.” Leading experts, journalists, and sociologists of Russia and Georgia will take part in it. Georgy Khutsishvili, the director of the International Center on Conflicts and Negotiations, told Vestnik Kavkaza about the forum’s targets.
- What is “the Istanbul process”?
- I initiated the process right after the August war in 2008. It began in autumn of the same year. We called it “The Istanbul process – an expert dialogue between Russia and Georgia.” Initially Istanbul was a place of our meetings. That’s why it is called so. Six meeting were held since that time. Five were held in Istanbul and one in the USA ahead of the presidential elections. Our aim is to intensify a dialogue at the unofficial level for development of recommendations on ceasing the confrontation between two countries and settlement of our problems. We discuss a wide spectrum of topics from politics to economy. In 2010 we have published the book headlined “Russia and Georgia: ways out of the crisis.” This was the first collector of articles by Russian and Georgian authors.
Moreover, recently the participants of the project have conducted a survey called “How Russia and the Russians are perceived in the Georgian society.” It is a Georgian part of the survey. Correspondingly, the Russian part is called “How Georgia and the Georgians are perceived in the Russian society.” We want to publish both surveys as a book. Therefore, we invited sociologists to Istanbul this time, for they could edit the book.
- Who has participated in the meetings?
- Andrey Ryabov, Dmitry Furman, Alexei Malashenko, and many other people. The Georgian side was presented by the former economy minister Lado Papava, expert Archil Gegeshidze, Caucasiologist Mamuka Areshidze, journalist and editor Lasha Tugushi, the special envoy on relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze and so on. We try to divide the dialogue into topics. We have a journalist cluster. Our biggest achievement is the mentioned book and the survey which will be published soon. Our meetings turn into systemic consultations. We are not only gathering information, but also analyzing the problems and seeking for their settlement. It will help politicians. Fortunately, now we can see that the process is moving in the political sphere as well. We are ready to support “the Geneva process” and other formats of the dialogue.
- Is there any response from politicians of both countries?
- Everybody supports our process. We feel support of the government and the parliament in Georgia. Moreover, international organizations help us. The Istanbul meetings where the editor-in-chief of Vestnik Kavkaza Alexei Vlasov takes part are sponsored by the Foreign Ministry of Belgium. They helped us with organization of the meeting in the US. But the main partner is the Global Net on Prevention of Conflicts which is working under support of the Foreign Ministry of the Netherlands.
- What topics will be discussed in Istanbul?
- We didn’t want to select certain topics for the discussion as the political situation had changed. Now it is more open. Thus, we intend to discuss as much topics as it is possible. The discussion will be open without thematic frameworks.
- The process will continue after the meeting. Do you plan to meet in Tbilisi or Moscow?
- Of course, we do, but we have to reach a certain agreement on this. I believe next meetings should be held in Moscow or Tbilisi.
- What do you think about Vestnik Kavkaza?
- I like your web-site very much. It is informative and independent.
