Armenian-Georgian relations

The Armenian media has evaluated the recent visit of its President to Georgia very positively.

Georgian-Armenian relations were placed under strain during and after the Russian-Georgian war. Armenia managed to maintain neutrality to avoid harming either Russian or Georgian interests. As a member of the CIS, Armenia made a statement condemning Georgia but did not recognize the breakaway separatist regions.

Some might not like this dual position, but for Armenian national interests it is absolutely justified. Armenia has problems with Azerbaijan, and until recently with Turkey, and therefore intensively uses Georgia as its major transit partner. Georgia is now a defeated and weak country but it is still the USA’s and EU’s regional partner too.

It is in the interests of Armenia to maintain Georgia as a friendly neighbour, as long as it cannot find a substitute for its already established Western contacts. By steering this course Armenia will avoid gratifying those Russian political analysts who say that Armenia has no alternative but to stay within Russia’s sphere of influence.