Third Georgian-German Strategic Forum:

Policy Recommendations and Observations

The third German-Georgian Strategic Forum took place in Tbilisi on 10-11

June, 2014, and gathered more than 70 participants from a wide spectrum

of organizations and sectors from both Germany and Georgia: government

officials, members of parliament from ruling and opposition parties, experts

from the most influential think tanks and media representatives. During the

presentations as well as subsequent discussions, participants no only discussed

recent developments in international relations and important strategic

issues of mutual interest but also expressed different policy recommendations

and ideas.

Since the first launch of the Forum in 2012, significant political changes took place

at the national and international level. With free and fair parliamentary elections in

2012 and the subsequent presidential elections in 2013, Georgia experienced the

first ever peaceful and democratic transfer of power. The successful implementation

of the recent local municipality elections in June 2014 constituted another litmus test

for the democratic development of Georgia. Furthermore, the implementation of the

recently signed Association Agreement (AA) with the EU, which also includes of a

Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), not only brings Georgia

closer to Europe in political and economic terms but will also have a positive impact

on the consolidation of democracy.

At the same time the annexation of Crimea by Russia and Moscow’s continuing efforts to

destabilize Ukraine not only violate crucial principles of international law but also pose a

serious threat to regional security and stability. It is in this context that Georgia needs

security assurances and backstopping from the Euro Atlantic community and Germany

is considered as one of the most influential countries in this regard.

Against this background, the Georgian-German Strategic Forum continues to play an

important role in the development of cooperative discussions among politicians and

experts from both countries on the basis of mutual trust and confidence.

The main issues discussed at the Third Georgian-German Strategic Forum were: EU

Association Agreement (AA) and perspectives of German-Georgian Relations, the

upcoming NATO summit in Wales and prospects of a Membership Action Plan (MAP)

for Georgia, Georgia’s internal political agenda, and perspectives of regional security

in light of current events on Crimea and in Ukraine.

As the result of the discussions the following Recommendations and Observations

were offered:

ON ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT AND BILATERAL RELATIONS

Recommendation 1: Germany’s support to Georgia is essential for furthering

Georgian integration with EU and enabling swift fulfillment of its obligations

under the Association Agreement. Fostering sustainable economic development

and investments in human development are key priorities. Germany could support

their implementation with various projects and a new framework of cooperation

between the two countries.

Argumentation:

The Association Agreement (AA) aims at deepening political and economic relations

between Georgia and the EU, and to gradually integrate Georgia into the

EU Internal Market – the largest single market in the world. This includes the

setting up of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), which is a

core part of the Agreement. The AA is a concrete way to activate the potential

of EU-Georgian relations, focusing on support to core reforms, on economic recovery

and growth, governance and sector cooperation. The main focus of sector

cooperation are areas such as energy, transport, environment protection,

industrial and small and medium enterprise cooperation, social development and

protection, equal rights, consumer protection, education, training and youth as

well as cultural cooperation.

Germany underwent a remarkable social, political and economic transformation

after World War II, thus having accumulated tremendous experience. Due to its

experience and its political and economic strength, Germany is one of the most

influential partners who can really contribute to Georgia’s smooth transformation

according to AA conditions. German assistance is crucial in many aspects,

and as Chancellor Merkel stated, Germany’s support for reforms could be directed

towards the agricultural sector, and the facilitation of foreign direct investments in

Georgia’s economy.

From Georgia’s side it’s essential to transform the judiciary system, as well as

ensure political pluralism and democratic governance.

ON NATO INTEGRATION PERSPECTIVE

Recommendation 2: Germany should support Georgia’s integration into NATO.

On the NATO Bucharest Summit 2008 NATO leaders agreed that Georgia will

receive the perspective of a membership, and it is the most important challenge

to ensure the fulfillment of this statement by the NATO allies. Germany should

support Georgia’s NATO aspirations and this support should be expressed in

certain steps taken by NATO alliance: a substantial package of proposals should

be adopted; additional consultation formats in the NATO-Georgia commission

should be initiated and strengthened. Furthermore, granting Georgia a Membership

Action Plan (MAP) should not become a distant possibility in order to keep

integration and democratization process on track, as well as prevent further

and graver Russian provocations aimed at undermining Georgian and European

security. It should be ensured that the NATO Wales Summit communiqué creates

perspectives for Georgia in several dimensions: intensive and expanding

collaboration within agreed formats, defence capability building, increased NATO

interoperability of Georgian armed forces, NATO-Georgia joint exercises and

trainings, and widened functions and increased capabilities for assistance of the

NATO Liaison Office.

Argumentation:

Mutual interests and common values are the foundation of strong bonds and relations

between the West and Georgia. For the West, Georgia is important from

both a geostrategic perspective and on basis of its democratic identity. As part of

the east-west corridor Georgia links Europe with Asia and provides crucial transit

routes to the oil and gas resources of the Caspian region. Georgia embraces

principles of democratic governance and European values what was once again

underlined by the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU. Only integration

into NATO provides Georgia with the security assurances necessary for a

democratic development free from Russian interference and pressure.

Recommendation 3: With regard to NATO membership prospects it is important

for the Georgian government to conduct effective expectation management

before the NATO Wales summit and communicate its results properly to the

Georgian population in the likely case that Georgian would not be granted MAP.

An effective public relations and communication strategy should be developed

in order to ensure the continuing support of the population of Georgia towards

NATO integration process and to forestall disappointment with the Western policy

of prolongation of membership decision.

Argumentation:

Georgia possesses an impressive track record with regard to the consolidation

of democracy as well as with regard to reforms and contributions in the defense

sector. The Georgian government strengthened democratic governance in defense

structures; it increased military capabilities and contributed significantly to

Euro-Atlantic security by actively participating in NATO operations. At the same

time the conduct of Russian foreign policy is affecting the sense of insecurity in

the region. In addition to its hard-power Moscow also bolstered its soft-power instruments

by doubling its propaganda efforts and supporting pro-Russian NGOs

such as Eurasian Choice. NATO and Georgia have to find joint answers to the

shared threat of Russian strategy of hybrid warfare.

The potential for frustration with the West can also be demonstrated by the rise

of pro-Russian political parties. More than 15 % of votes in total (from different

political groups or parties) at the recent local municipality elections were collected

by political forces who openly express their negative attitude towards

the West and Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Public disappointment about

NATO’s perceived lack of commitment towards countries of the eastern neighborhood

in the face of Russian threats will further weaken the stance of pro-Western

politicians in Georgia. This worrisome developments needs to be deeply reflected

not only by Georgia side but also by Western governments including Germany’s.

A sovereign and democratic Georgia, free from Russian influence is a salient support

to Euro-Atlantic security.

ON CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN CHANGING ENVIRONMENT

Recommendation 4: The German government should continue its efforts to

support the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) as well as non-recognition

policy towards Georgia’s breakaway regions. Furthermore, Germany should

raise the ending of the occupation of these regions in interactions with Russian

officials. Simultaneously, it should support the initiatives of the Georgian government

aiming at normalizing relations with Russia, but not on the expense of

compromising Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Argumentation:

Currently EUMM is the only mechanism of international monitoring of the line

of contact between Georgia and the breakaway regions, thus ensuring the

international presence and at least some sort of security and stability on the

ground. Tbilisi continues its efforts to promote and advocate for dialogue and

normalization policy with Russia for achieving through peaceful means the

de-occupation and reintegration of Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali

into Georgia proper. After the parliamentary elections 2012, the appointment

of the prime minister’s special representative on the regulation of

the relations with Russia and the regular meetings between the special representative

and the Russian deputy foreign minister contributed to improvement

of bilateral trade relations. While there has been some progress with

regard to trade relations and humanitarian issues, no progress was achieved

with regard to the status of the two breakaway regions. However, Tbilisi tries

to reach progress in this respect through increasing the engagement with

and assistance to the population residing in occupied regions. Assistance

programs in healthcare, educational scholarships and the prospects of a visafree

regime with the EU are stimulating the increased interest and goodwill

towards Georgia in populations of those two occupied regions.

ON PROMOTING AND SUPPORTING DEMOCRATIZATION IN GEORGIA

Recommendation 5: The Georgian Government should continue democratic

transformation of political institutions and structures. All necessary measures

must be taken to adhere to high standards of the rule of law and prevent

the perception of selective and politically motivated justice from occurring. A

free and fair judiciary is a core pillar of democracy. Thus the German government

should continue to actively support justice sector reform and democratic

transformation in Georgia.

Argumentation:

Together with its direct contributions to the European security, Georgia’s further

democratization and strengthening the rule of law are the best arguments

supporting Georgia’s integration into both, NATO and EU. Georgia’s successful

example of democratic transformation carries a big weight in regional context

and stimulates the democratic processes and reforms in the region and beyond.

Further strengthening and consolidation of Georgian democracy is the best way

for ensuring the national security and speeding up its turning into a full-fledged

member of Euro-Atlantic family of democracies. Any perception of selective justice,

dragging feet on further strengthening the rule of law and implementation

of democratic reforms could have dismal consequences for Georgian security and

implementation of its national interests.

About the Georgian-German Strategic Forum

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and the Atlantic Council of Georgia are initiators of the Strategic Forum and

act as organizers. The Forum will hold meetings at least once in a year. The first meeting was held on May

2-3, 2012. It applies strict observance of Chatham House Rules.

The Forum acts as a non-governmental forum that brings together representatives of all sectors (academia

and think-tanks, government, parliament, media) from Germany and Georgia and focuses mainly on the

security policy field. The main goal of the Forum is to strengthen and deepen bilateral relations between

Georgia and Germany through further improving the partnership, increasing the mutual understanding and

facilitating a better coordination of security policies.

The Forum is intended to serve as a permanent venue for discussions on important strategic issues of mutual

interest. Policy recommendations will be elaborated, as well as adequate bilateral projects launched and

implemented within its framework.

When deemed useful, on a case by case basis, the Forum can decide to also involve experts and/or policy

makers from other countries in its work, especially when this contributes to a better understanding and helps

to bring closer the positions of Georgia and Germany on important security policy issues.