Do you think a confederation with Azerbaijan will bring any benefits to Georgia?
Friday, July 23
"I know that Mikheil Saakashvili raised this idea during Aliyev’s visit to Georgia but to tell the truth I did not take it seriously, as when Saakashvili is being emotional he says things which are hard to believe. In general I do not support this idea; it reminds me of the Soviet Union."
Nana, dentist, 52
"Confederation has its benefits of course, especially concerning conflict areas. Confederation with Azerbaijan would be good for Georgia in terms of obtaining natural gas and more exports. I like this idea, however both sides should agree on this and our President’s statements alone are not enough."
Giorgi, economist, 43
"History has shown that confederations, especially in the Caucasus, do not function well. Once there was an attempt to create a confederation in the South Caucasus and it failed. Relations should be regulated by some other, more modern means, and not by thinking about confederations."
Tinatin, manager, 28
"I do not know what to say. Maybe this will be profitable for both countries, as their trust in and responsibility towards each other will increase, but we have different cultural values so I do not know if such a confederation is possible or not."
Nina, teacher, 32
"I have not heard that Azerbaijan has responded positively to Saakashvili’s statement. In general, such serious statements are made after negotiations, but our President sometimes makes completely unexpected statements. I got the impression that Aliyev was somehow surprised at hearing this. In such a confederation Georgia would benefit firstly in the direction of energy, and Azerbaijan is developing very quickly and it is important for us to have very powerful close ally in the Caucasus."
Nodar, sociologist, 38
“I think that a confederation with Azerbaijan will result in an intensive "Islamisation" of Georgia. I cannot see any corresponding economic benefits in it.”
Giorgi, student, 22
“I do not welcome this idea and think it is impossible to achieve. I respect our neighbours, but confederation will not bring anything good to Georgia.”
Ana, musician, 29
“I do not think it will bring any benefits to us, though the idea itself sounds not too bad.”
Diana, PR specialist, 25
Nana, dentist, 52
"Confederation has its benefits of course, especially concerning conflict areas. Confederation with Azerbaijan would be good for Georgia in terms of obtaining natural gas and more exports. I like this idea, however both sides should agree on this and our President’s statements alone are not enough."
Giorgi, economist, 43
"History has shown that confederations, especially in the Caucasus, do not function well. Once there was an attempt to create a confederation in the South Caucasus and it failed. Relations should be regulated by some other, more modern means, and not by thinking about confederations."
Tinatin, manager, 28
"I do not know what to say. Maybe this will be profitable for both countries, as their trust in and responsibility towards each other will increase, but we have different cultural values so I do not know if such a confederation is possible or not."
Nina, teacher, 32
"I have not heard that Azerbaijan has responded positively to Saakashvili’s statement. In general, such serious statements are made after negotiations, but our President sometimes makes completely unexpected statements. I got the impression that Aliyev was somehow surprised at hearing this. In such a confederation Georgia would benefit firstly in the direction of energy, and Azerbaijan is developing very quickly and it is important for us to have very powerful close ally in the Caucasus."
Nodar, sociologist, 38
“I think that a confederation with Azerbaijan will result in an intensive "Islamisation" of Georgia. I cannot see any corresponding economic benefits in it.”
Giorgi, student, 22
“I do not welcome this idea and think it is impossible to achieve. I respect our neighbours, but confederation will not bring anything good to Georgia.”
Ana, musician, 29
“I do not think it will bring any benefits to us, though the idea itself sounds not too bad.”
Diana, PR specialist, 25