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It is a shame that the US government failed to play an active role in ending the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Matthew Bryza says
"The agreement reached to end Nagorno-Karabakh definitely shows the sign of a lack or much lower US level of activity and interest in the South Caucasus," Matthew Bryza, a former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, said in an exclusive interview with "Europe Time". He recalls the period of working at the White House when he spent a long time preparing the background information and talking points for President George W. Bush's meeting with the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Robert Kocharian and Heydar Aliyev. Bryza says that then the issue could not have been resolved without the US, and it is a shame now that the United States has failed to play an active role. According to him, during the clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia in July, it was clear that the United States and France were not going to play an active role in helping to bring down tensions between the two sides. As Matthew Bryza said, these countries were not fully active. As a result, Russia and Turkey took over the role. In the end, it was decided that peacekeeping forces from Russia and Turkey would be deployed on the ground-a fact that the American diplomat called very important, for he believes that Turkey, as a NATO member and NATO’s second-largest army, on Azerbaijani territory, will help to counterbalance Russia. The Nagorno-Karabakh Peace Agreement, which was signed on November 10, is based on principles proposed by the Minsk Group in 2007. He said the United States, Russia, and France helped Azerbaijan and Armenia in the negotiation process, which had been preliminarily agreed upon by their leaders, but subsequently, they had failed to finalize all the details of the basic principles. As a former spokesman for the Bush Administration stated, the version of this agreement provided for the return to Azerbaijani control of all seven Azerbaijani districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh that Armenia was then occupying; in exchange, Armenia would gain an "interim legal status" and eventually a final legal status that would be determined by a vote of the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh. Bryza noted this could not and would not have happened without US participation in the past.".. But it is a shame the US is not active now, in the present, in mediating the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. " In an interview with Europe Time, Matthew Bryza mentioned Mike Pompeo's visit and said that the United States’ message is to help strengthen Georgia's democracy at the same time. He believes that the government, opposition, and NGOs should work together in this direction. During Mike Pompeo's visit, US Ambassador to Georgia, Kelly Degnan, explained to journalists why the Secretary of State did not meet with the opposition. She said that everyone, in particular the opposition, needs to do hard work after being elected to participate in parliamentary life and focus on the reforms they want to work on, especially on electoral reforms. As the Ambassador noted, the Secretary of State believes that it is important to use the mechanisms of democracy that exist and work on their improvement. The latter is the most important factor for US officials. According to Matthew Bryza, both US Ambassador Kelly Degnan and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo realize that the latter's decision not to meet with the opposition was quite unpopular with the Georgian opposition. It was like Mike Pompeo was meeting with NGO leaders. He added, however, that the stay of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Philip Reeker in Tbilisi to meet the opposition was a particularly important step, as was Mike Pompeo's meeting with Georgian NGO leaders. To summarize, the message from the United States is to help strengthen Georgia's democracy. America believes that the government, the opposition, and NGOs should work together in this direction. I don’t know what the purpose was of Secretary Pompeo’s visit to Georgia, but I always think, under all circumstances, it is great for the US Secretary of State to visit Tbilisi to underscore that despite the political crisis and the deep polarization between the opposition and the government, the United States wants to help the Georgian people strengthen their democratic institutions. At the same time, the visit underscores the United States' enduring support for Georgia's efforts to deepen its ties to NATO, "the US diplomat said.
Ambassador of Turkey to Georgia: Georgia is a Strategic Partner to Turkey and we Fully Support Its Current Efforts to Join NATO
The hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan ceased upon reaching an agreement between both nations. In accordance with the agreement, Armenia was mandated to hand over territories beyond Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan. These territories which used to be under the control of Armenian forceswould be vacated for Russian peacekeepers, in a bid to secure the area which used to be a conflict zone. Furthermore, Armenia agrees to stay clear of the road construction connecting Nakhichevan to Azerbaijan.Baku also agreed to deploy Russian peacekeepers in the region, while the Russian army will control the road that will connect Armenia through Azerbaijan from Lachin region to Nagorno-Karabakh. The President of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, agreed to create a transit corridorfor Azerbaijan in order to allow for safe connection to its enclave in Nakhichevan. This corridor will also be under Russian surveillance. Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan was quoted to say, “Russia and Turkey will be deployed in peace center of Nagorno-Karabakh”, and this is clearly highlighted in the Agreement with the clear definition of the role of Turkey in the “Joint Peace Monitoring Center”. “EuropeTime” spoke to the Turkish Ambassador to Georgia, Fatma Ceren Yazgan about the role of Turkey as member of NATO in the Nagorno-Karabakh situation, other current situations and processes in the region, as well as,the Turkish-Georgian relations. The NK issue is a permanent source of instability in the region. Turkey, in accordance with the UNSC resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884, has been calling on Armenia to end its occupation of internationally recognized Azerbaijani territories for nearly 30 years. The ceasefire is a promising step and can pave the way for a lasting solution. We believe that stability in the region will benefit Armenia too. These regional developments are however not a source of concern for the bilateral relations between Turkey and Georgia.“Turkey perceives Georgia as a true strategic partner. Turkey has always advocated for Georgia’s inclusion into the NATO. We will continue to support Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration aspirations, especially its ongoing efforts for NATO membership”, Ambassador of Turkey to Georgia, Fatma Ceren Yazgan affirmed. "At the request of Azerbaijan, we agreed to monitor the ceasefire. We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Russia, which will ensure the presence of Turkish troops in the joint peace center”. The Ambassador further stressed.“Turkey, as the only NATO member country in the region, has been a NATO member state since 1952 and has always supported cooperation between the Alliance and South Caucasus states including Armenia. Neither Turkey’s membership to NATO, nor our support to NATO’s partnership with our neighbors are new.” Fatma Ceren Yazgan continued in his explanation of Turkey's support for States in the Caucasus region. When pressed about our interview with General Ben Hodges, where he highlighted Turkey as the biggest ally of the West on the Euro-Atlantic path, and he suggested that it would be good if the USA would increase its infrastructure and rotational forces. The Turkish Ambassador submitted that“ It is Georgia's own business and concerns bilateral relation between Georgia and US.”
Georgian experts to Mike Pompeo: Establish a Permanent Representation of the US Armed Forces in Georgia
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was addressed with open letter from experts on security and foreign policy issues, stating initiative about establishing of permanent US military mission in Georgia. As claimed by them, this will bring Georgia even closer to NATO membership. The letter is presented invariably: Dear Mr. Secretary, We, the representatives of the security and foreign policy community of Georgia, sincerely welcome your visit to Tbilisi during these heated times. We are united in our desire to share our views on advancing the U.S.-Georgia defense and security partnership. For Georgia, the United States is a vital ally. Likewise, we believe in Georgia’s share in bolstering Western interests in Europe and globally. Georgia stands as a keystone for securing our allies’ foothold in the East-West Corridor, which multiple U.S. administrations have invested so much to build. We see a U.S.-led Euro-Atlantic system as the only guarantor of a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace. In recent years, the South Caucasus and the Black Sea regions have become areas of geopolitical instability. Most of these security risks stem from Russia’s ambitions to reconstitute a Soviet-era “sphere of influence,” in what Moscow perceives as its “Near Abroad.” Emboldened by its freedom of action, Russia recently deployed troops to Nagorno-Karabakh to enhance its regional military posture. Since regaining independence, the freedom-loving citizens of Georgia have toiled to create a functional democracy. In this project, the United States has been an indispensable ally by elevating Georgia to, in the words of President Ronald Reagan, a “Shining City Upon a Hill” that has overcome state failure and successfully battled the Soviet legacy of corruption. The Georgian people do not take genuine American friendship for granted. Over 90 percent of Georgians hold a favorable view of the U.S. and Georgian soldiers have proudly served in the U.S.-led missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. We express our profound appreciation for America’s strong support to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We believe that a key step forward to support the Georgian people in our struggle for freedom, while advancing U.S. regional and global interests, would be: A permanent presence of American armed forces in Georgia. Such a policy may include allied (U.S./European) forces on a rotational basis, as well as logistical and air patrolling elements that would provide a wide range of options for American and allied forces to operate uninterrupted in the South Caucasus and Black Sea regions. At the same time, the U.S. military presence in Georgia would enjoy overwhelming popular support, deter imminent threats and help Georgia move closer to NATO membership.At this point, Georgia’s capacity to meaningfully contribute to our strategic partnership will be further enhanced by the resilience and vibrancy of its democratic institutions. In this light, we welcome the valuable U.S. engagement in mediating a solution to Georgia’s current political crisis. We are likewise grateful for the momentous and sustained efforts that the U.S. has made over the years, to help strengthen Georgia’s democracy. We fully support the process of strengthening the U.S.-Georgia alliance, inclusive of the presence of the U.S. military on the ground, to the benefit of shared Euro-Atlantic security. Sincerely, Sincerely, Zviad Adzinbaia International Security and Digital Diplomacy Fellow, The Fletcher School, Tufts UniversityFounder, LEADx Change Eka Akobia Dean, Associate Professor, The School of Governance, Caucasus University Irakli Alasania Former Minister of Defense, Former Ambassador to the United Nations Irina Arabidze National Security and Foreign Policy Analyst Phikria Asanishvili Associate Professor of International Relations, Tbilisi State University Giorgi Astamadze Doctoral Candidate in History, University of Karlsruhe Nato Bachiashvili Chairperson of International Centre for Geopolitical Studies Giorgi Badridze Senior Fellow, Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies (Rondeli Foundation) Former Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain Zurab Batiashvili Research Fellow, Rondeli Foundation Zaza Bibilashvili Chairman, The Chavchavadze Center for European Studies and Civic Education Levan Bodzashvili Former Deputy National Security Assistant to President Former Deputy Foreign Minister Eto Buziashvili Research Associate, Atlantic Council Former Adviser to the National Security Council Mikheil Darchiashvili Former Deputy Defense Minister Member of the Governing Board, Atlantic Council of Georgia Davit Darchiashvili Professor, Director, Center for Russian Studies, Ilia State University Jaba Devdariani Founder, the United Nations Association of Georgia & Civil.ge Paata Gaprindashvili Director, Georgia’s Reforms Associates Former Ambassador to Austria Kakha Gogolashvili Director of European Studies at Rondeli Foundation (GFSIS) Giorgi Goguadze Assistant Professor of International Affairs, Caucasus University Tornike Gordadze Former Minister of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of GeorgiaProfessor, Paris Institute of Political Studies (France) Giorgi Gvalia Professor of Politics and International Relations, Ilia State University Shota Gvineria Senior Fellow, Economic Policy Research Center, Former Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands Gia Japaridze Senior Fellow, Ilia Chavchavadze Center for European Studies and Civic Education. Former Charge d’Affaires to Portugal and Cyprus Tedo Japaridze Former Ambassador to the United States, Former Foreign Minister Nino Kalandadze Director, The Chavchavadze Center for European Studies and Civic Education Nodar Kharshiladze Founding Director, Georgian Strategic Analysis Center Former Deputy Minister of Defense Tinatin Khidasheli Chairperson, Civic Idea Former Minister of Defense Beka Kobakhidze Chair, MA Program in Modern History of Georgia, Ilia State University Batu Kutelia Vice-chair, Atlantic Council of Georgia Former Ambassador to the United States Khatuna Lagazidze Senior Fellow, Georgian Strategic Analysis Center Former Senior Advisor to the National Security Council Ekaterine Metreveli President, Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies (Rondeli Foundation) Grigol Mgaloblishvili Former Ambassador of Georgia to NATO Khatuna Mshvidobadze Professorial Lecturer, The George Washington University Senior Fellow, Senior Fellow, Rondeli Foundation Giorgi Muchaidze Executive Director, Atlantic Council of Georgia Sophia Petriashvili Former Associate Professor of International Relations, Tbilisi State University Alex Petriashvili Former Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Former Ambassador to Turkmenistan and Afghanistan Tengiz Pkhaladze Associate Professor, Georgian Institute of Public Affairs Former Foreign Policy Advisor to the President Mirian Popkhadze Fellow, Foreign Policy Research InstituteFormer Representative of Ministry of Defense to the United Nations Irakli Porchkhidze Vice President, the Georgian Institute for Strategic Studies (GISS) Datuna Rakviashvili Secretary, National Security Council, 2016 – 2018 Giorgi Rukhadze Senior Fellow, Georgian Strategic Analysis Center Tornike Sharashenidze Professor of International Affairs, Georgian Institute of Public Affairs Vasil Sikharulidze President, the Atlantic Council of Georgia; Former Ambassador to the United States Tornike Turmanidze Professor of International Relations, Tbilisi State University Gela Vasadze Regional Program Manager, Georgian Strategic Analysis Center Temuri Yakobashvili Ambassador of Georgia to the United States (2010-2013)
Georgia should be a member of NATO. The country has fulfilled all the criteria, Matthew Bryza says
Georgia held its 2020 parliamentary elections on October 31, but political processes have continued in the country despite opposition protests. November 3 was a crucial day in the U.S. It is expected that today it will be clear who will become the president of Georgia's strategic partner country. Statements about "stolen elections" are made both in Georgia and in the United States. The current President of the United States, Donald Trump, was chastised by OSCE representatives for claiming that "fraud had occurred during the voting process." Trump supporters encouraged by this rhetoric may see violence as a legitimate weapon," said the head of the OSCE International Election Observation Mission in the US presidential election. Based on the latest data, Joe Biden's staff is confident of victory. We asked former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, Matthew Bryza, about the foreign policy visions of both presidential candidates [Trump and Biden]. Matthew Bryza also spoke with Europatime about Georgia's domestic political processes and American investment. Matthew Bryza: President Trump has never been a big fan of NATO. He is not a fan of working with allies. He has chosen a highly combative policy towards Iran, China, and North Korea. He is not really focused on a strategic approach to the South Caucasus region. As for Joe Biden, he is a strategic thinker. He has a different approach—he is well aware of Russia's aggressive aspirations in the South Caucasus and the Black Sea region. He was appointed by President Obama to lead the Ukraine issue after Russia invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea. He is a deep believer in the importance of NATO and considers it extremely important to solve problems together with the Allies. I think, unlike Trump, Biden will not choose the path of confrontation—I think he will not be friendly with North Korea, but he will not be confrontational. _How would you assess the parliamentary elections held in Georgia and the decision of the opposition to refuse to enter Parliament? I read the statement of the U.S. Embassy and the OSCE/ODIHR assessments that Georgia’s parliamentary elections were competitive and, overall, fundamental freedoms were respected, although there were some shortcomings that need to be addressed. The opposition has chosen such a form of protest. This is understandable, but I think it is better if political leaders fight for the interests of the electorate in parliament. It is not good that the opposition chooses the path of the boycott. -It is important for Georgia to develop ports and attract more American investment. What is your opinion on the Anaklia Deepwater Port project? It is also known that the American company Trammo is building a terminal for mineral fertilizers in the port of Batumi. According to the project, a logistics corridor will be established in the Black Sea port from Central Asia via Azerbaijan and Georgia. What is the significance of this project for Georgia and what should the government do to attract more direct investment from the United States? In my opinion, it is an important project. In any case, in order to attract more American investment, the Georgian government needs to further improve the investment climate. Unfortunately, the cancellation of the Anaklia project was extremely negatively perceived in Washington. It is important that the government of Georgia clearly states that its goal is to strengthen the investment environment and respect legal agreements between commercial entities and companies. Georgia has very good relations with the United States. It is a NATO aspirant country, and in the United States, many people want Georgia to be a member of NATO. Georgia should be a member of NATO; the country has fulfilled all the criteria. As for focusing on the investment environment, I am confident that the Georgian government can do that. -As you stated in one of your interviews, it would be a pity if Georgia did not participate in the regional digital hub project. I mean a project on which the Azerbaijani company Aztelecom is working. One of the key components of this project is the fiber-optic cables of the Caucasus Online. What are your expectations for the future of this project as well as the Anaklia project? I do not know what will happen in the future. As for the digital hub project in general, if an efficient, fast, fiber-optic network goes directly to Tbilisi, large digital centers may be placed in Tbilisi. As a result, the fact that this project did not proceed is a major failure. This was also perceived negatively both in the U.S. and Brussels. But I hope the Georgian government will find ways to implement this project.
