Exclusive interview of Georgian Defense Minister Irakly Alasania to Mediamax

On March 7, Georgian Defense Minister Irakly Alasania will pay his first visit to Armenia. On the eve of the visit, he gave an exclusive interview to Mediamax agency.

- Mr. Alasania, what do you think about the possibilities of developing Armenian-Georgian defense and military cooperation? Do you think that our countries need to deepen cooperation in this field?

- First of all, let me underline that our countries enjoy good neighborly relations that is well reflected on the cooperation in many directions. Defence field is not exceptional at all. We are cooperating for years in the different areas that cover military education and training, experience sharing on strategic defence planning and reforms in defence field. We invite Armenian military personnel to attend the international courses in our military educational institutions on the regular bases. Furthermore, our cooperation has intensified for last several years and has acquired more practical dimensions. Let me add here that it is essential to cooperate with all the neighbors in order to preserve stability, security and peace in the region.

- As far as we know, there are no documents signed between Armenia and Georgia on military cooperation. Do you plan to draft any documents with your Armenian counterparts in the foreseeable future?

- I would like to inform that Ministries of Defence of Georgia and Armenia are already working on several documents in order to formalize concrete directions of our cooperation. Currently these documents are draft versions, undergoing internal procedures and will be signed as soon as both parties agree on the text.

Besides, since 2010 we have been concluding annual bilateral cooperation plans which define particular activities to be carried out throughout the year within the defence cooperation.

- Do you think that Georgia and Armenia can organize joint military exercise?

- As I have mentioned above, we enjoy quite intensive cooperation that provides good opportunities to participate in many joint endeavors. As an example, I can draw joint participation in trainings at NATO/PfP Sachkhere Mountain Training and Education Center.

- What you think about the possible cooperation and experience sharing between Armenian and Georgian peacekeeping units?

- Georgian Armed Forces have good experience of participating in international peacekeeping operations in different parts of the world. Since 1999 we have been sending our personnel to Kosovo, Iraq and now in Afghanistan. I believe the diversity of the operational environment and the duration, we have served in these missions, has generated unique experience within our Armed Forces. We can say the same for the Armenian Armed Forces as well. It is essential to exchange experiences and the lessons we have learned from those missions in order to ensure the effectiveness of our involvement in current missions and future possible ones.

In this respect, we have already made some steps. In 2011 the representatives of the Armenian Armed Forces visited Georgia to hold the discussions on experience from engagement in peacekeeping operations. I think, we can continue cooperation in that direction successfully in future.

- Some Georgian politicians perceive Russian military base in Armenia as a “potential threat” to Georgia. What is your position on this issue?

- It is known to everyone that Russia occupies 20% of Georgian territories that poses threat not only to our national interests and statehood, but also can be considered as destabilizing factor for the entire region. We consider the Russian military presence on Georgian soil as a threat to regional stability.

Amiable relations with Armenia makes us strongly believe that Russian military base in Armenia's territory would not be used against us. In our vision, in order to ensure peace and stability in the region, it is essential to work on relations with the Russian Federation. Thus, one of the declared priorities of the new government is to gradually ease tensions in relations with Russia. With our pragmatic approach that envisions starting the cooperation with Russian counterparts on soft issues like economic, cultural and social one would lead to constructive talks on the occupied territories. At the same time, it should be clear that normalization of relations with Russia will not proceed at the expense of Georgia’s territorial integrity. Thus, normalization of relations with Russia will remove the possible threats from the agenda.

- In past years Georgian-Turkish military cooperation was a matter for concern for Armenia. Do you plan to discuss this with your Armenian counterparts?

- As I said, it is essential to cooperate with all the neighbors in order to preserve stability, security and peace in the region. This cooperation is not directed against the national interests of any country and serves only the peaceful purposes.

- In spring 2011, when you were still in opposition, you said in an interview with our agency that you will like to have more Armenian politicians in Georgia. "Georgia will only benefit from it", you said. Do you think that the ruling coalition is ready to encourage Georgian Armenians to more active participation in political processes and how this could be done?

- Yes, I do agree with the idea and can reiterate once again, that political pluralism and engagement of all ethnicities and political actors in the country’s political processes is essential factor to develop the nationhood in accordance with democratic values. We are encouraging all members and groups of Georgia’s society to take more active part in Georgia’s central and local political life.

Ara Tadevosyan talked to Irakly Alasania.