TBILISI SILENT ON ARMENIA-TURKEY PROGRESS

Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
Sept 4 2009
Armenia

The international community has saluted the current developments in
Armenia-Turkey normalization and the joint statement on Protocols:
the "Protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations’ and the
‘Protocol on the development of bilateral relations". World leaders
hailed the process as a historic one: EU, Council of Europe, U.S.,
France, Russia, Syria, Canada, as well as other countries issued
statements. Only Georgia remains silent. Four days have passed since
the crucial regional event, but no statement has been made yet either
by official Tbilisi or Saakashvili.

Why is Tbilisi holding back emotions and not voicing its official
position on the issue? Possibly because the Armenian-Turkish
rapprochement, and, as a result, the unblocking of the border, perplex
Georgian leaders. The reopening of the Armenian-Turkish border means
some geopolitical and economic losses, freight traffic volume will
fall and the country will no more hold a dominant transit position
in the region.

The Georgian political analyst, head of the Center for Public Policy
NGO Gia Khukhulashvili expressed almost the same opinion in the
interview with NEWS.am.

"Certainly, the volume of cargo transportation through Georgia to
Armenia will fall. Georgia will no longer be a regional transit
dominant party. Besides, once the border is opened, Armenia will be
less tied to Georgia from the communication point of view too. This
may stir separatist moods of ‘hotheads’," the expert stated.

He stressed that both Armenia and Turkey as well as the whole region
will gain if the border is unblocked. It will give impetus to regional
projects and to the revival of trade-economic environment. "The
Georgian side should understand it and welcome normalization between
these two countries," Khukhulashvili concluded.