Dangerous Games – What Can Be Expected From Visa-Free Regime with Iran and North Caucasus for Georgia
November 19, 2010
Salome Achba
Different evaluations were made after the government of Georgia announced visa-free regime with Iran. Part of society thinks it will promote free economical relation between Georgia and Iran; another part thinks the innovation is a bit risky for Georgia and besides security matters it will also worsen our relation with the West. It is interesting that, before the visa regime was canceled with Iran, similar decision was made in regard with the republics of the North Caucasus. Western countries already made critical assessments about the decision of the government of Georgia.
The government of Georgia explained their decision on visa-free regime with Iran by establishment free economical relations with this country; as for the same decision in regard with North Caucasus, they want to liberalize visa regime and to support restoration of traditional relations.
During his official visit in Georgia, foreign minister of Iran Manouchehr Mottaki explained the introduction of visa-free regime between Georgia and Iran by economical reasons and underscored their interests in the Caucasus.
“Territorial integrity is one of the main principles for the cooperation of the countries and we hope the problems of the region will be resolved peacefully. The government of Islamic republic of Iran thinks that security, energy and transit – are the keystones for the future cooperation in the region. Iran is ready to resolve the problems in the region,” said Manouchehr Mottaki.
The representatives of the foreign ministries of Georgia and Iran did not mention those threats and challenges that might originate after the decision. The foreign minister of Georgia Grigol Vashadze said that the two countries try to make their cooperation more intensive and it will be useful for both Iran and Georgia, as well as for the region and international political climate in general.
Expert Mamuka Areshidze said in his interview with the newspaper “Resonance” that the decision contains certain political risks and it might badly influence our cooperation with the West. “Iran occupies particular place in the world politics and partnership with them requires serious consideration. In this situation we can speak about two scenarios: first: the government of Georgia makes some demarche to demonstrate its independent game to the entire world and to start bargain with it; and second: Georgia has agreed this decision with the West.”
The expert also said that if the government of Georgia announced visa-free regime without agreeing the issue with the West, the West will turn back at Georgia.
The West has not made any official comments about the decision of the government of Georgia. So, it is difficult to predict whether Europe and USA like close relationship between Georgia and Iran when the USA and several leading European states harshly oppose the nuclear ambitions of Iran.
“Impudence” – “With Zero Perspective to Join NATO”
The Western states already made strict and critical assessments about visa-free regime with the North Caucasus but they have not said anything about Iran yet.
Thomas de Waal - a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace assessed the decision of the government of Georgia as irrational game in his article for the National Interest “The Georgian government has embarked on a new policy of embracing the North Caucasus, which to Russian eyes looks like a strategy to divide it from the rest of Russia. President Saakashvili unilaterally announced a visa-free regime for the North Caucasian republics and made a speech at the United Nations about his vision of a “united Caucasus,” north and south. The sentiments would have been laudable from the mouth of a poet or even a businessman. Coming from the president of Georgia, they only stoked Russian paranoia and Russian-Georgian tensions. Unreason is the new order here until someone decides it’s time to turn the page.”
US foreign policy analytic Walter Russel Mead criticized the introduction of visa-free regime with the North Caucasus and stated that the decision angered not only Russia but caused serious concern of the USA too. “The move angered Russia (which wants to keep the lid on tightly in the North Caucasus and already blames Georgia for allowing arms and people smuggling in and out of the troubled region); it also seriously annoyed the United States, which does not want Georgia poking at the Russian bear; the US also objects, strenuously, to the idea of Islamic militants crossing the Georgia border and then roaming freely around a country with many US Peace Corps volunteers, diplomats and other personnel.”
American expert thinks, because of similar improvident decisions, there is almost zero perspective for Georgia’s membership in NATO in near future.
“As far as I could determine, the Georgians did not consult with the Europeans, the Americans or anyone else before taking this step, reinforcing the belief that Georgia’s hotheaded leadership is unpredictable and impulsive. The hard and even brutal lesson that Georgia needs to learn is this: NATO’s European members will not accept a rash and headstrong Georgia into the alliance. There is even less chance that the Russian occupation of large chunks of Georgia will end in the near future,” said the US foreign policy analytic Walter Russel Mead.
It is difficult to predict the goals of the government of Georgia after taking similar steps and to clear up whether similar decisions indicate to abrupt changes into the foreign policy of Georgia.
It is fact that by visa-free regime with Iran and North Caucasus, on the one hand Georgia established relations with Iran – which is almost declared to be a terrorist country, and on the other hand it angered “Russian Bear” which has been scaring even Europe recently.
News
December 13, 2023
Ethnic minorities outside the peace dialogue
November 6, 2023
‘Peace’ agenda of political parties
Popular
Articles
February 13, 2024
Why are Ossetians affected by the conflict unable to regain Georgian citizenship and their property?
