Georgia-Russia conflict as seen elsewhere in the Black Sea region

BUCHAREST — The war in Georgia concerns the international community, and it is making the prime news in most countries. In the countries of the Black Sea region–which are in close proximity to the conflict and are caught in the web of regional interests and rivalries–the war is not only a concern, but to some a real threat.  The reaction of these governments and the importance given to the war vary deeply and not surprisingly within the region, reflecting well-known international affiliations or aspirations.

Armenia –- the country is marked by the Nagorno Karabach conflict, another of the “frozen” conflicts of the region. Ethnic Armenians live in the Georgian conflict zones, and the Armenian government has been strongly criticized in the recent past for not being too concerned about their fate. Recently, Armenia has issued an official statement that calls for a halt of military action: “We are certainly concerned about the situation and hope that a solution will be found very quickly,” said Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Gegham Gharibjanian. “We hope that the parties will make maximum efforts to quickly stop bloodshed and find peaceful solutions to contentious issues.” The Armenian media only sporadically reflects the situation in Georgia, and the latest news was about President Saakashvili having had a heart attack (PanArmenian.net, news attributed to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti).

Azerbaijan –- Azeri media reflects the developments in Georgia more thoroughly and with an obvious concern for a potential similar course of action in Nagorno Karabach. An interview with Boris Berezovsky in one of today’s newspapers does little to relieve the perception of threat. “Most unsettled territorial conflicts in the former USSR area have much in common. There are common features between the Georgian-South Ossetian and Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict in Nagorno Karabakh. In particular, the role of Russia, which held and still continues its empire policy for preserving conflicts everywhere, by applying the thesis “divide and rule,” is felt in both of them. Russia is still able to torpedo all territorial conflicts, which emerged after the USSR collapse. It should be always taken into account.” (Today Azerbaijan, August 11)

Two regions in Azerbaijan are inhabited by ethnic Georgians — said to account for 50,000 –- who have been actively protesting the Russian actions for the last few days. Some of them have left for Georgia to help defend the country. A spokesman for the Azeri Foreign Ministry, Khazar Ibrahim, stated that the Georgian actions were in accordance with international laws and that Azerbaijan recognizes the territorial integrity of Georgia.

Moldova — Seemingly close to a resolution to the Transdnistrian conflict –- or at least so things looked before August 7 –- and very careful in its relation with the Kremlin, Moldova has not issued any official statement on the war in Georgia. Moldovan official media carries only vague news about the conflict, while the opposition media gives it extensive coverage and blames Russia for its military actions.

Bulgaria –- Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivaylo Kalfin issued the following statement: “Bulgaria supports a strong and active European position in the South Ossetia conflict. The reports of victims among the civilian population in the region of the town of Tskhinvali cause particular anxiety. As an European Union member, Bulgaria would support the union’s more active diplomatic involvement in order to prevent the further escalation of the tensions and to contribute to the solution of the conflict in the region of South Ossetia.” Bulgarian media carries numerous news on the war as well as opinions of Bulgarian politicians and analysts on the situation in Georgia. The Bulgarian News Agency released the statement of Solomon Passy, Chairman of the National Assembly Foreign Policy Committee, who believes that “It is in our interest that Russia and Georgia settle their relations in the name of the peace in the Black Sea region… I still believe that Georgia should have been granted a Membership Action Plan (MAP). If this had happened, NATO would have had a bigger influence in the internal processes, on the one hand, and, on the other, such positive changes in Georgia as well as an invitation for membership would have certainly triggered a less emotional reaction.”

Romania –- has issued an official statement calling for a genuine cease fire on both sites, and strongly supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia. “Romania reaffirms the need to observe the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia. Romania calls on both parties to prove responsibility and immediately cease fire, in order to allow for negotiations that guarantee peace and stability in the region.” Romanian media widely covers and analyzes the war, mainly criticizing President Mikheil Saakashvili for hastening into a conflict whose outcome was only clear for everybody and offering Moscow what it was waiting for. “Russia wanted to show the world it remains the only alternative for oil and gas transit to Europe. Moscow takes advantage of the lack of will or of ability to react of international organizations to show that the Caucasus stay within its sphere of influence, and that Georgia is not a serious alternative for gas or oil transit to Europe.”  (Adevarul, August 11)

Turkey –- finds itself in a delicate position, having to reconcile between various interests. “On the one hand, Russia is a major military power on the Black Sea and is an important trade partner to Turkey. On the other hand, Tbilisi is a close partner of Ankara and NATO, of which Turkey is a member. Another dilemma Turkey faces is pressure from ethnic lobbies in Abkhazia, the other breakaway region of Georgia, which claim the Turks are their distant relatives and that Turkey should support them in their struggle against Georgia.” (Turkey Today, August 11) Ali Babacan, Turkish Foreign Minister, “called on the parties to cease hostilities, exercise restraint and engage in direct talks in order to reach a lasting solution to the conflict and has underlined the importance of the preservation of territorial integrity and political unity of Georgia.” (Today’s Zaman, August 11) Turkey has also agreed to supply Georgia with 30-40 MW of electricitry.

Ukraine –- Ukraine is Georgia’s strongest supporter. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry issued an unexpectedly strong statement on its website: “In order to prevent the circumstances in which Ukraine could be drawn into a military conflict … Ukraine reserves the right to bar Russian ships which may take part in these actions from returning to the Ukrainian territory (Sevastopol) until the conflict is solved.” The response came immediately:  “Ships of the Russian Black Sea fleet, deployed to the Georgian coast to take part in ‘forcing to peace’ operation, will return to their base in Sevastopol after the operation is finished,”  Russian Deputy Chief of General Staff Anatoly Nogovitsyn said this in a press conference in Moscow. “These are our bases, and we will return there,” he stressed. Commenting on the information in mass media, referring to the statement of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry that Ukraine could bar Russian navy ships from returning to their base in the Crimea because of their deployment to Georgia`s coast, A. Nogovitsyn claimed that Russia has not received any such statement from Ukraine through official channels. According to him, there is an agreement between Ukraine and Russia, which clearly sets out all parameters. (UNIAN, August 11) The Ukrainian media is warning: “Ukraine will be next.”

This entry was posted by Alina Inayeh on Monday, August 11th, 2008 at 12:20 pm and is filed under Black Sea, European Union, Georgia, Russia.

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