Author: Susanna Petrosian, Yerevan, exclusively to VK
Last week, the prime minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili, made a one-day official visit to Armenia. He met with President Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, and ministers of foreign affairs, finance and energy. Following the visit, an agreement was signed on the joint use of land customs station "Bagra-Sadakhlo", "Ayrum-Sadakhlo", "Gogavan-Guguti" and "Bavra-Ninotsminda" and an agreement on cooperation in the field of culture and protection of monuments. The sides assured that all issues between the two countries can be resolved through discussions.
Meanwhile, we should pay particular attention to a number of aspects. The first aspect is economic. Ivanishvili said that the two neighboring countries, which have for years supported each other, are obliged to help each other, to raise their economies with similar problems. Armenia and Georgia should establish a single market, whichwill benefit the economy of the two countries. Statements on the necessity for the development of the Armenian-Georgian economic relations are still much more numerous than concrete steps in this direction. Perhaps this finally will be done; however, given the current state of the economy, there is little hope that concrete steps will give fast results. Currently, economic relations are not at the proper level. According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, the trade turnover between Armenia and Georgia for 11 months in 2012 is about 115 million dollars, representing only 2.2% of the foreign trade turnover of Armenia. As for Armenian exports to Georgia, these are glass containers, cement and packaging; Georgia sells to Armenia semi-finished wood and a large amount of scrap metal.
The next important aspect of the visit is the communication, which carries both political and economic dimensions. Ivanishvili said that Georgia is working to restore the rail link Abkhazia - Georgia - Armenia. In turn, Sarkisian said that the issue of the railway is on the agenda of bilateral relations: "Armenia is interested in resolving this issue." But this was followed by the statement of the President of Georgia, Mikhail Saakashvili, in which he referred to the words Ivanishvili on a possible restoration of the railway with Russia as an anti-state statement. According to the Georgian president, the statement by Ivanishvili does not include strategic and geopolitical interests of Georgia. Saakashvili expressed his belief that this issue should be resolved only after a decision on the de-occupation of Abkhazia.
"The arrival of Bidzina Ivanishvili in power provides a unique opportunity to improve the relations between Armenia and Georgia, despite some problems. If in fact the Abkhaz railway is opened, this also will be a significant impact on the situation. With a balanced and prudent policy of the current Georgian authorities Armenia can come out of isolation", director of scientific and educational center "Noravank" Gagik Harutyunyan believes. Restoration of the railway will benefit not only Armenia, but also Georgia. After all, cargo from Russia to Armenia will go through Georgia. The latter will become a transit country, not only in terms of East-West and in the opposite direction, but also in terms of North-South and South-North.
Perhaps the background of the normalization of relations with Russia has a positive impact on the Armenian-Georgian relations. It is quite early to talk about a real improvement of the Georgian-Russian relations, but we can talk about changing the atmosphere - there is no hostile rhetoric anymore. In this context it is worth mentioning that after the 2008 war not only the Georgian elite, but the Georgian society treated Armenia and Russia with great suspicion and distrust. This fact contributed to a cooling in the always good Armenian-Georgian relations.
Armenia adhered strict neutrality during the five-day war. Another thing is that this neutrality could be more active. In particular, the Armenian extra-parliamentary opposition called the leadership for a policy of active neutrality in the humanitarian sphere, believing that Armenia should become an intermediary in the exchange of prisoners and the bodies of the dead..
Another statement, uttered by Georgian Prime Minister in Yerevan, refers to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "Georgia shares the opinion that the Karabakh conflict should be resolved by peaceful means. Both sides should make efforts for a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh issue", the Georgian Prime Minister said. He understands what the escalation in the conflict zone will cause, not only for the parties to the conflict, but for Georgia.
During the visit, the Georgian government delegation also discussed the problems of Armenians living in Georgia, especially concerning the education and preservation of cultural heritage. In this respect, the decision by Ivanishvili to prepare a project for teaching the subject "History of the Armenian people" in the Georgian schools is of great importance. This solution seems to be seen in the context of his campaign promises. "The Armenians of Georgia can be confident in the implementation of the platforms. The Armenians must feel in Georgia like in their home country", the Georgian Prime Minister said. During the meeting with His Holiness Karekin II Ivanishvili promised that he would personally watch the organization of the recovery of Armenian churches.
The issue of the exemption (the Georgian parliament passed an amnesty law for people accused of spying for Russia) of the Georgian citizens of Armenian origin also contributed to the overall atmosphere of the visit. Armenian human rights organizations believe the charges are trumped up, but this fact makes a certain tension in the relations between the two countries.
Concerning the issue of the resident of the Armenian-Georgian region of Samtskhe-Javakheti, political activist Vahagn Chakhalyan, being in custody, Georgian Prime Minister said that the matter was under consideration.
In general, although the visit of Ivanishvili to Armenia is considered in the positive context, it does not mean that all problems are resolved.
