What foreign policy orientation is best for Georgia: pro-Russian, neutral or pro-Western?
Monday, April 26
"I think neutrality is always the best choice for any country. Georgians are so different from both Russia and the West that I am all for basing Georgian policy on our historical past and the values which are essential for us alone."
Tata, lawyer, 28
"Our pro-Western orientation is the most challenging issue for our country. It’s a path to the success and freedom which we Georgians are so eager to have. So I would choose Western values rather than Russian ones, despite the fact that the latter is our neighbour. Both sides have shown us their approach to Georgia and I think it is evident which has been more hospitable to us as a whole."
Beka, architect, 49
"Our political orientation has always been towards Europe, our way is the European way and we should go in this direction. Relations with Russia are very important as it is our neighbour and very powerful and dangerous at the same time, but we have already rejected the Russian way as it is not the way of development and advance."
Zurab, historian, 41
"Well I think Georgia should have its own way, neither Russian nor European. It is obvious that our mentality is closer to the European one but at the same time it differs from it, as Georgia is a mixture of the European and Asian mentalities and cultures. That is why Georgia is an attractive country to others; we should preserve these specific features and l try to have friendly relations with all other countries."
Nina, teacher, 52
"There are many people talking about the neutrality of Georgia, but this is unimaginable for our country I think because of our territorial and strategic position. Improving relations with Russia is important as it is a very dangerous and occupying country, but the Russian way of development is unacceptable for me. To my mind the Georgian Government should find a way to regulate relations with the Russian Government and learn how to carry out political negotiations. Georgia has already chosen its way and should follow it, I think."
Tamuna, sociologist, 28
“I don’t think we can become a neutral state with all our internal conflicts and our geographical location. So we should exclude this option. A year ago we saw what Russia can do to us and what kind of neighbour it is, so this option is also non-existent. The only choice we have is to take a pro-Western stance. This is what we should do if we want to survive as a nation.”
Keto, painter, 45
“For me personally a pro-Russian orientation is absolutely unacceptable. I do not think that we should consider this as an option. Being a neutral state would be ideal, I just do not know how easy or difficult it would be to achieve this.”
Levan, doctor, 27
“I would like to see Georgia as a prosperous European state, where there is rule of law and a good standard of living. I think this is the only way of future development. We should strive for this, and our current Government should do its best to take a step towards Georgia’s EU integration.”
Dato, engineer, 52
Tata, lawyer, 28
"Our pro-Western orientation is the most challenging issue for our country. It’s a path to the success and freedom which we Georgians are so eager to have. So I would choose Western values rather than Russian ones, despite the fact that the latter is our neighbour. Both sides have shown us their approach to Georgia and I think it is evident which has been more hospitable to us as a whole."
Beka, architect, 49
"Our political orientation has always been towards Europe, our way is the European way and we should go in this direction. Relations with Russia are very important as it is our neighbour and very powerful and dangerous at the same time, but we have already rejected the Russian way as it is not the way of development and advance."
Zurab, historian, 41
"Well I think Georgia should have its own way, neither Russian nor European. It is obvious that our mentality is closer to the European one but at the same time it differs from it, as Georgia is a mixture of the European and Asian mentalities and cultures. That is why Georgia is an attractive country to others; we should preserve these specific features and l try to have friendly relations with all other countries."
Nina, teacher, 52
"There are many people talking about the neutrality of Georgia, but this is unimaginable for our country I think because of our territorial and strategic position. Improving relations with Russia is important as it is a very dangerous and occupying country, but the Russian way of development is unacceptable for me. To my mind the Georgian Government should find a way to regulate relations with the Russian Government and learn how to carry out political negotiations. Georgia has already chosen its way and should follow it, I think."
Tamuna, sociologist, 28
“I don’t think we can become a neutral state with all our internal conflicts and our geographical location. So we should exclude this option. A year ago we saw what Russia can do to us and what kind of neighbour it is, so this option is also non-existent. The only choice we have is to take a pro-Western stance. This is what we should do if we want to survive as a nation.”
Keto, painter, 45
“For me personally a pro-Russian orientation is absolutely unacceptable. I do not think that we should consider this as an option. Being a neutral state would be ideal, I just do not know how easy or difficult it would be to achieve this.”
Levan, doctor, 27
“I would like to see Georgia as a prosperous European state, where there is rule of law and a good standard of living. I think this is the only way of future development. We should strive for this, and our current Government should do its best to take a step towards Georgia’s EU integration.”
Dato, engineer, 52