For Georgia NATO integration is a tool for resolution of its territorial issues

PanARMENIAN.Net - The two autonomies of Abkhazia and Suoth Ossetia have started to actively act towards gaining international recognition of their sovereignty after the majority of countries of the EU, as well as the USA approved the separation of Kosovo from Serbia. Last week Russia disabled the sanctions in the self-proclaimed Republic of Abkhazia, causing the indignation of the Georgian authorities, who accused Moscow of encouragement of separatism.

Today the Georgian Parliament started its session with the discussion of this issue which has caused so much tension in the country. The main issue on the agenda was the preparation of the declaration in answer to Russia's action (disabling the economic sanctions in Abkhazia). Of course the problem was initiated by the relations between the opposition and the current authorities. Earlier the deputies from opposition having boycotted the session of the parliament have followed Burjanadze's call and were already in the Parliament by the beginning of the session. However, in their
speeches they tried to join two key problems: the answer to the Russian initiative regarding Abkhazia and. the revision of the majority system of elections. The speaker expressing bewilderment about the way the question was put, provoked a storm of emotions. Particularly the opposition announced that the government only must be accused of the crisis in Abkhazia. Naturally the deputies from the ruling party didn't like these announcements and this led to a huge scandal. Only thanks to Burjanadze the session was continued. However, whether the sanctions will be disabled in Abkhazia in
such controversial approaches, still remains uncertain.

The Georgian government intends to take Russia to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg already in summer and demand compensation of $20 milliard. As the Chairman of the Commission on territorial integrity Shota
Malashkhia informed the "News Time", $5 milliard is a compensation for the loss of the private property of the refugees and the other $15 is for the loss of the State of Georgia.

Meanwhile, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU Member States spoke for the territorial integrity of Georgia and confirmed the readiness to continue the course of developing the relations with Tbilisi. "We are concerned about the situation in Georgia, because the Russian Federation and the CIS countries have decided to draw parallels with Kosovo," announced the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia Dimitry Rupel who is in the chair in the EU.

In his turn, the President of Academy of Geopolitical Problems Leonid Ivashov thinks, that the recognition of the independence of Kosovo is the beginning of the end of the integration processes in Europe. "This also concerns Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Then the disastrous epidemic of destabilization and separatism is going to spread all over Europe. In the person of the so called independent State of Kosovo Europe will have to face a number of troubles, since a huge unemployment is observed in the region, besides the Serbian population of Kosovo will suffer a genocide and discrimination," he said.

According to Sergey Markedonov, the deputy head of the department of the issues of international relations of the Institute of political and military study, for Georgia NATO integration is a tool for the resolution of its territorial issues. Tbilisi definitely hopes that the Alliance may "prevent" Russia from recognizing Abkhazia or South Ossetia. "It is necessary to mention, that NATO is quite aware of Georgia's intention. The NATO officials have never been very happy about Georgia becoming one of the members of the Alliance. Their statements have always been in the mood of "healthy
constructivism" and "careful optimism". Moreover, none of the official representatives of the Alliance has been very keen on resolving the territorial issues of Georgia, taking out the Russian troops from the conflict zone," said Markedonov. It is quite possible that at the hearings on the issue of unrecognized states which are to be held on March 13 in RF State Duma, a decision will be made, which will not be of favor to Georgia at all. But another outcome is also possible; Tbilisi may come to an agreement with Moscow, like the President of Moldova did, practically giving up GUAM and the idea of integration in NATO to save Transnistria.