Armenia doesn’t have access to the sea. It is surrounded Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran and Georgia. Turkish and Azerbaijani borders to Armenia are closed due to the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Iranian border is open but because of its distance and geographic situation it is not very functional. Armenia’s border to Georgia is open, but it Russian border to Georgia is kept close due to the conflict between Russia and Georgia.
Because of this situation, Armenia makes its trade via Georgian border and uses Batumi and Poti ports. But seriously distured because of Georgia’s policy of applying high transition prices for Armenia. Thus, Armenia wants to use Georgian-Russian border and wants to reach other countries over Russia.
The issue of opening of Russian-Georgian border was one of the most important issue that is held in the visit of Georgian President Mihael Saakashvili to Armenia. Saakashvili discussed this issue both with Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan and Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan. Finally, Saakashvili stated that they will open the border if Russia accepts opening of border.
This border is very important for Armenia as Sarksyan numerously stressed. It is the shortest and cheapest way for Armenia to reach world market. There is not any other shortest land corridor. Other than that, Russia is a big market for Armenia’s agricultural products. So, closed Russian border is a big problem for Armenia.
The question about whether the border will be opened, depends to the Russia’s attitude. But if we should look to the conflict between Russia and Saakashvili government, it is not likely to be opened in short term. It seems Armenia will have to suffer of this issue for a long time.
Another important issue that Saakashvili and Sarksyan discussed is the Javakheti region in Georgia. Once upon a time the region was mostly populated by Meskhetian Turks. Nowadays it is mostly populated by Armenians. There are about 90,000 Armenian descent people while population of Armenians in Georgia is about 250,000. For years, Armenians in the Javakh region claim that Georgian government treats them unfair and culturally, economically and socially abandons them. And of cource, Georgia denies these allegations.
Saakashvili denied these allegations in his last visit when he was speaking in University of Yerevan. He called for attention to the investments of Georgia to the region and stated that they are struggling for modernization of Javakh region. Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan awarded Saakashvili with a medal following his speech becuase of his efforts for development of relations between Armenia and Georgia.
For sure, Armenians cannot act in a different way, because they need Georgia. That is why Javakheti issue is not carried to official agenda of Armenia. On the other hand, it is told that Russia does not welcome the way Armenia hosts Georgian President.
This is the situation of the relations between Armenia and Georgia after the visit of Saakashvili to Armenia.
FİKRET ERTAN / ZAMAN
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