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Georgian–Kosovar relations are foreign relations between Georgia and Kosovo. Formal diplomatic relations between two states are non-existent as Georgia does not recognize Kosovo as a sovereign state.
History
The Foreign Minister of Georgia, David Bakradze, said on 18 February 2008 that Tbilisi would not recognise Kosovo's independence, adding: "I think everyone in Georgia, regardless of political orientation, is unanimous on this". On 29 March 2008 the prime minister, Lado Gurgenidze, gave a recorded interview in Estonia, in which he clearly said in English that as Georgia's friends have recognised Kosovo, it is only natural that eventually Georgia will do likewise. The printed publication of the interview elicited demands by the opposition to impeach him, and the government spokesman stated that the prime minister was misinterpreted, after which the Estonian paper Postimees, which conducted and printed the interview, released the audio to the world. On 9 May 2008 President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, said "We are saying loud and clear that we have never planned to recognize Kosovo. Nor do we plan to do so in the future. The way out of the situation that has been chosen is not the best one. The Serbs should have been given more time for negotiations. The solution for Kosovo was a hasty one".
See also
References
- Kosovo's proclaimed independence provokes mixed responses from international community, Xinhua, 17 February 2008
- Georgia not planning to recognise Kosovo-minister, Reuters, 18 February 2008
- Georgia Will Not Recognize Kosovo – Foreign Minister Archived 13 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine, The Georgian Times, 19 February 2008
- Estonian Paper Releases Audio of PM Saying Georgia would Recognize Kosovo, The Financial, Business News & Multimedia, 5 April 2008 Archived 11 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- "Georgia will not recognize Kosovo" Archived 16 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine, B92, 9 May 2008
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Georgian Kosovar Relations: Expanded Article History of Relations In general, analyzing the current relations between Georgia and Kosovo one can speak about historical, political and geopolitical aspects. Since the time Kosovo announced its independence from Serbia in 2008 Georgia has not recognized Kosovo as an independent state. Thus, Georgian government’s position coincides with Georgian national interest mainly in question of territorial integrity being worried by Georgian authorities more and more due to a number of conflicts with its own breakaway territories – Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
In February 18, 2008, the Foreign Minister of Georgia, David Bakradze gave assurance that Tbilisi would not recognize Kosovo independence. He noted that this was the sentiment on both sides of Georgia’s political divide, due to concerns over precedent that could lead to the encouragement of secessionist activity within its borders
However, during an interview in Estonia in March of 2008, Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze intimated a shift, which stated that as Georgia’s friends recognized Kosovo, Georgia might follow suit. Nevertheless, this simple statement caused uproar within the country’s borders, and the government has since in an attempt to PIN the premier down, established that he had been misunderstood. This to my mind gave an evidence of the prowess of the issue under Georgian political agenda and its discursive construction as sensitive.
In May 2008 Georgian President, Mikheil Saakashvili again stating Georgian stance not to recognize Kosovo, was highly critical of international communities’ ‘precipitous’ approach to the recognition of Kosovo’s independence. Speaking to the House of Commons on Tuesday, he said that Serbia should have been granted more time for negotiations and argued that such decisions might have adverse effects on territories all over the world.
Geopolitical Context Such non-recognition is thus closely related to Georgia’s own geographic context. After the Russo-Georgian war in 2008, Russia began to recognize the independence of both Abkhazia and South Ossetia in the same way as Kosovo. Russia said that the Kosovo case initiated the process of secession around the whole world which allegation is negated by Georgia and western countries. This dynamic provides a window into the more global struggle, outlined in the introduction, which is un/ruling by Russia over its neighbors, and the West over its own territories. Comparative Perspectives Although Georgia is in company of these non-recognizing states in relation to Kosovo, its position is quite complicated owing to its internal ethno-territorial unrest. Serbia still supports Kosovo like Russia supported Crimea, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia. On the other hand, Georgia regards Kosovo’s independence as the exceptional phenomena resulted from the given circumstances of the Balkan Wars instead of the secessionist trends
International Implications Pressures beyond both states contribute to the nature of Kosovo-Georgia relations. The United States and the European Union have endorsed Kosovo’s claim of independence but denied the same to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. These and other sources of this perceived double-standard are the subject of disagreement in international relations. On the other hand, Russian recognition and support for Georgian separatist areas it viewed as a directly inverse move to western interventions in Balkans.
Conclusion Current interactions between Georgian and Kosovar states and societies are influenced by historical precedent, regional geopolitics, and conflict over legal paradigms it is necessary. Still, the two productions do not show much direct diplomacy between the two entities but raise themes of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and self-determination most of which is problematic in the current world’s political divide.
- 1. Kosovo's proclaimed independence provokes mixed responses from international community – Xinhua Archive 2. Georgia Not Planning to Recognize Kosovo – Reuters 3. Great Powers Playing Politics with Kosovo and Georgia – DW 4. Georgian Opposition Wants U.S. to Renounce Recognition of Kosovo – RFE/RL