Interview by Georgi Kalatozishvili, Tbilisi, exclusive to Vestnik Kavkaza
In Istanbul, a regular meeting of the Russian and Georgian experts was held. One of the initiators of the forum, Professor, Ph.D., director of the International Center on Conflict and Negotiation, political scientist Georgi Khutsishvili told VK about the topics that were discussed within the framework of the "Istanbul process" and the atmosphere that prevailed at the expert forum.
- Mr. Khutsishvili, was the forum in Istanbul representative enough?
- I think it is enough to name the participants in order to answer your question. The Georgian side was represented by Director of the Center for Strategic Studies of the Caucasus Mamuka Areshidze, former Deputy Minister for Conflict Resolution, Georgi Volski, former economy minister, PhD in economics, Senior Fellow of the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies, Vladimir Papava and Program Manager of International Conflict Prevention Centre on Conflict and Negotiation Tina Gogueliani. The Russian side was represented by Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor, Executive Director of Political Studies "North-South" Alexey Vlasov, PhD in history, senior researcher at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations Irina Kobrinskaya, representative of the Moscow Carnegie Center Vladislav Kurske, PhD in history, leading researcher at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, chief editor of the "World Economy and International Relations" Andrei Ryabov, PhD in economics, Associate Professor, head of the department of the Institute of Economics of RAS Boris Frumkin, professor at the Institute of Europe of RAS, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Alla Yazykova and coordinator of the European Centre for Conflict Prevention Zahid Movlazade (Netherlands).
- What were the topics discussed this time?
- We discussed the general situation of the Russian-Georgian relations in terms of economy, politics, law and human contact. We talked about new trends, notable after the parliamentary elections in Georgia, and the possibilities to develop the political process. All the participants have agreed that the Russian-Georgian relations should be improved in view of the fact that there are unresolved issues that are unlikely to be resolved soon. But improving relations still needed.
- Were there any special suggestions?
- In my opinion, the most important was the postulate that the improvement of Russian-Georgian relations should not depend on the Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-Ossetian problems. Abkhaz and South Ossetian issues are a topic that requires a special dialogue, but the Georgian-Russian relations should not depend on it. In other words, the resolution of conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia should not be a precondition for the improvement of relations between Russia and Georgia.
For example, we exchanged views on the restoration of railway traffic between Russia and Georgia, its advantages and risks. But this is less relevant because the project is only in its infancy. Just the idea has been sounded, and we have supported it.
We agreed that we would do everything to facilitate Russian-Georgian dialogue on a wide range of issues: politics, economy, culture, sports, science and so on. We believe that in this sense it is important to involve the society to intensify the dialogue.
It's hard to say what the result the two countries will be able to achieve in this process is. There must be an expression of good will on both sides. But the public should take an active interest in improving bilateral relations and clearly stated: we want to first order and then improve the relationship.
- Were there individual meetings between the participants?
- Of course, between the general discussions, we talked with many colleagues. Discussion of the issues raised in the plenary then continued during individual meetings in private. And there were a lot of questions. Everyone was satisfied with the atmosphere that prevailed at the forum. Some participants even agreed to promote joint projects.
- Where will the next meeting take place?
- We plan to inform not only the people of Russia and Georgia, but anyone interested in the issues of Russian-Georgian relations in Europe and the U.S. about our position. Some of the participants were in Washington and held there interesting meetings. In early 2013, we plan to go to Brussels to meet with members of the European Parliament and the European political circles, as well as experts.
But most importantly, in the changed circumstances, we should move to a qualitatively new level and to hold meetings in Moscow and in Tbilisi. Organizing such a meeting in Tbilisi will have no difficulty, because the Russians can come to Georgia without a visa, but as for the meeting in Moscow, it is a big issue, because getting a Russian visa for citizens of Georgia is a huge problem.
Therefore, we will jointly appeal to the authorities of Russia to solve the issue. Although it is understood that in the absence of diplomatic relations immediate cancelling the visa is not possible. But Georgia managed to solve this issue making getting visas mere formalities at the airport. This would be a good will on the Russian side.
- Are the participants are satisfied with the working conditions in Istanbul? What was the general atmosphere at the forum and around it?
- Providing the forum is worthy of the highest ratings. We were put in a great hotel in the center of Istanbul. We met in a hotel conference room. We started to work at 10 am. Then there was a break for lunch, and we continued to work up to 18 hours. But in the evening informal dinner meeting was held. There were also coffee breaks between sessions on various topics.
Meetings were divided into blocks: the Russian-Georgian relations, regional security, the impact on the Russian-Georgian relations, Euro-Atlantic vector of foreign policy.
I would like to add that we have completed a study on the perception of the Georgians in Russia and the Russians in Georgia. Studies were carried out by Carnegie Moscow Center and the Tbilisi Center on Conflict and Negotiation. In a few months, we will publish the results; for us the assessment of other participants in the dialogue is very important.
The atmosphere of the meeting was very open and friendly. These three days we lived with the hope that the Russian-Georgian relations, despite all the problems, can develop. We can renew contacts on the human level, the Russian market will be opened for Georgian goods and so on. We are ready to provide expert assistance to those political circles which can really move the process forward.
