Georgia skips the 3+3 meeting in Tehran due to Russia's participation

Baku/23.10.23./Turan: In a significant development that underscores Georgia's delicate geopolitical balancing act, the Georgian government has officially declined to participate in today's international 3+3 format meeting in Tehran. The 3+3 format involves discussions between representatives from Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russia, Armenia, and, originally, Georgia. However, Georgia's absence from the meeting is a clear statement of its concerns regarding Russia's involvement in the talks.

This decision comes after Georgia's initial hesitation to join the 3+3 format, which was first convened in Moscow on December 10, 2021. At that time, Georgia had opted not to participate. However, Georgian journalist and blogger Irakli Berulavain, a commentary for Turan,  highlighted that in 2021, Tbilisi did not express any overt reservations about its involvement in the format following discussions with Turkish and Azerbaijani authorities.

The change in Georgia's stance can be attributed to a visit by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to the country. During a press conference at the Georgian Ministry of Defense, Secretary Austin made a pointed remark about Russia's occupation of 20 percent of Georgian territory. He emphasized that Russia should first respect the ceasefire agreement established in 2008 before engaging in discussions about a new diplomatic platform.

According to Berulava, the refusal to participate in the 3+3 talks persisted despite attempts to persuade Georgia's Prime Minister, Irakli Garibashvili, by both Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The proposed negotiations were intended to focus primarily on economic matters, with the possibility of excluding direct communication between Georgian officials and Russian counterparts. However, it seems that the political risks associated with such a move were deemed too great by Georgia.

It is worth noting that, despite officially designating Russia as an aggressor and occupier, Russia remains one of Georgia's primary trading partners. The Russian Federation leads significantly in terms of money transfers to Georgia, and Russian tourists are among the largest groups of foreign visitors to the country. This economic interdependence has undoubtedly complicated Georgia's foreign policy decisions.

Furthermore, Georgia is under pressure from the United States and the European Union, both of which have issued warnings about potential sanctions if Georgia were to resume flights with Russia. Additionally, protests advocating for European integration have erupted within Georgia, reflecting the multifaceted challenges faced by the Georgian government in navigating its international relationships.

The decision not to participate in the 3+3 talks underscores Georgia's complex geopolitical position, caught between its desire for economic cooperation, its reliance on Russian tourism and trade, and its aspirations for closer ties with Western nations. As Georgia continues to weigh these competing interests, the path forward remains uncertain.--0--