№051: Georgian Dream’s Foreign Policies: An Attempt to Change the Paradigm?
№051: Georgian Dream’s Foreign Policies: An Attempt to Change the Paradigm?

Author(s): Konrad Zasztowt
Subject(s): International relations/trade, Security and defense, Military policy, Geopolitics
Published by: PISM Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych
Keywords: Georgia; Asia; Caucasus; Central Asia; domestic policy; Eurasia; Russia
Summary/Abstract: Critics of current Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, including President Mikheil Saakashvili and his opposition United National Movement party, claim that the new Georgian government is undermining Georgia’s stable Euro-Atlantic course in its foreign policies. They suggest the prime minister’s inclination is to change the country’s policies from pro-Western to pro-Russian. The other element of their criticism towards Ivanishvili is that he is attempting to withdraw from the path of democratic reforms. The authorities reject these accusations but don’t deny that they seek to radically modify the policies of their predecessors. These changes include not only domestic but also foreign policies. Although the country’s commitment to the goals of integration with the EU and NATO is still backed by the new government, some statements and decisions by the prime minister suggest his will to reinvent the approach towards his Western partners. Also, his rhetoric concerning Georgia’s Caucasus neighbours may suggest some significant modifications in Georgia’s regional relationships. This paper analyzes the probability of a “paradigm shift” in Georgia’s foreign policy towards the EU, NATO, Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

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