Reflecting on 30 Years Since Georgia Reopened Its Diplomatic Mission in France

As we commemorate three decades since the reopening of Georgia’s diplomatic mission in France, it is a significant moment to assess the developments in the relationship between these two nations over this span of 30 years. These relations have not only endured but also evolved to encompass a myriad of dimensions, ranging from politics and diplomacy to culture and economic collaboration. Georgia's Ambassador to France, Gocha Javakhishvili, sheds light on the journey of this diplomatic partnership and the promising avenues that lie ahead.

It has been three decades since the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Georgia and France. How do you assess the developments in the relationship between these two countries over the past 30 years?

We consistently emphasize that it has been 30 years since we revived our diplomatic relations, marking the reopening of our diplomatic mission. Through this experience, I've come to realize that, in certain European circles, there's a perception that Georgia only emerged on the map after the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, it's important to remember that Georgia was once a European state with a highly democratic constitution and diplomatic ties to numerous European nations. Unfortunately, France recognized Georgia's independence relatively late, in January 1921, and shortly after that recognition, Georgia's diplomatic representation was established. The representative of the diplomatic mission was Akaki Chkhenkeli, and a symbolic moment was captured in a photograph currently preserved in Leuville, where Chkhenkeli presented his credentials to the French President, Alexandre Millerand, on February 25, 1921, coinciding with the day when the Bolshevik army occupied Tbilisi.

Diplomatic relations with France were officially restored in December 1992, with the embassy being opened a few months later, with Gocha Chogovadze serving as the first ambassador. At that time, Claude de Kemularia, a member of the Georgian emigrant community who was a seasoned diplomat himself (Ambassador of France to the UN, to the Netherlands, and also held some high positions in the Government of France), played a key role in securing a prominent location for our embassy near the Arc de Triomphe.

Shortly after the embassy's opening in 1993, state agreements covering various aspects of bilateral cooperation, including double taxation and specific collaborative projects, were signed between France and Georgia, establishing a framework for our relations.

However, a significant turning point in our relationship occurred in 2019 when the presidents of Georgia and France signed a new agreement during the Georgian president's visit. This marked the introduction of the term "strategic dialogue" into our diplomatic vocabulary. The strategic dialogue between our countries was named in honor of Dimitri Amilakhvari, a representative of the Georgian emigrant community who served valiantly in the French Foreign Legion and heroically gave his life on the battlefield in El Alamein. He is recognized as a symbol of dedication to France, often cited as an example of successful immigrant integration in the country. Dimitri Amilakhvari famously said, "France has given us so much, and we are so grateful to her that we can appreciate it by sacrificing ourselves for her," a sentiment that he lived out by giving his life for both France and Georgia. Within our emigrant community, he is hailed as a man loyal to both nations.

How does this strategic dialogue differ from the pre-existing relationship between Georgia and France?

The key distinction lies in the structured and organized nature of the "strategic dialogue," which takes place alternately once a year between our countries, sometimes in Georgia and other times in France. Both sides make careful preparations for this dialogue, focusing on cooperation across various domains, including politics, economy, education, culture, and more. The goal is to infuse this dialogue with substance, leading to the signing of new agreements and collaborative projects.

Furthermore, in addition to the strategic dialogue, we have established traditional political consultations with France, taking place alternately in Georgia and France. These consultations primarily concern bilateral relations and also extend to multilateral relations, with the aim of securing France's support, for instance, in matters related to Georgia’s relations with NATO and the European Union. To this end, political consultations are held at the deputy minister level. Meanwhile, the strategic dialogue, named after Amilakhvari, is overseen by the foreign ministers of both nations.

We also have a third format of cooperation, which is the Germany-France-Georgia triangle. This holds strategic importance for us as we prioritize building relationships with these two countries on our journey towards Euro-Atlantic integration. In order for the reforms necessary for this path to succeed, consultations with these two European Union "locomotive" countries, Germany and France, have become crucial. Given the robust relationship between France and Germany since 1960, the French are highly attentive to Germany's political opinions and positions on various issues, and vice versa. It was of utmost importance for us to establish a consultative format with these two influential EU nations. This triangular platform convenes at various locations, including Berlin, Paris, and Tbilisi, where significant issues related to Georgia are discussed.

As you may know, apart from the historical and emotional ties, our government during the era of our first republic found political exile in France, and our national treasures were safeguarded there. Thanks to the efforts of Charles de Gaulle, these precious artifacts were eventually returned to Georgia, free of charge, through the efforts of Ekvtime Takaishvili. Additionally, France has hosted a considerable wave of Georgian emigration since the First Republic. Leuville stands out as one of the most beloved French cities in Georgia, where for 80 years, emigrant Georgians preserved the idea of an independent, free Georgia. Currently, the full-scale rehabilitation of the chateau and manor is in progress, and soon, the Leuville Georgian Museum and historical-cultural center will become a hub for various exciting projects.

Moreover, we hold a strong recollection of France's contribution during the August 2008 war. France played a pivotal role as the country holding the presidency of the European Union in facilitating the ceasefire agreement. It is important to note that Russia has yet to fulfill its obligations under this agreement, and in this regard, France periodically reminds Russia to honor the ceasefire and the conditions stipulated in the six-point agreement. To support Georgia, France consistently underscores the imperative for Russia to withdraw its troops from Georgian territory and allow international observation missions in these regions, among other things.

France has been actively supporting us in the matter of non-recognition of our occupied territories. Given Russia's persistent efforts to secure international recognition of these territories' independence, France is firmly backing our position and actively countering such recognition attempts on various continents.

In addition to our close political cooperation and support, we have also fostered partnerships in the fields of culture and education. Notably, there exists a French-Georgian university that consolidates all university cooperation projects between various French and Georgian institutions. While it doesn't correspond to a single university, it serves as a symbolic umbrella term that encompasses diverse universities operating in various academic disciplines. This collaborative platform promotes student and professor exchanges, joint degree programs, and opportunities for Georgian students to attain French degrees through distance learning via programs recognized by French universities. This initiative has been quite successful, and an increasing number of universities are participating, offering our young people a multitude of opportunities. As the world continues to evolve, with the European educational landscape becoming more accessible, these framework agreements will unlock numerous doors and windows for our youth, providing prospects we might not even anticipate today. The key takeaway is that we have a strong foundation for cooperation today that will continue to expand in the future.

In the military sphere, we have established cooperation with France, particularly in the field of air defense and the training of our officers. Each year, Georgian officers undergo specialized military training at prestigious French military schools.

Turning to economic matters, we are actively seeking to attract companies, especially at a time when many businesses have withdrawn from the Russian market. We aim to highlight Georgia's attractive investment climate. While there are promising outlines for future cooperation, it must be acknowledged that our economic relations with France have not yet reached the level we aspire to. Several objective factors contribute to this. Firstly, the geographic distance of our region may play a role, and secondly, French business circles may perceive the region as unstable due to the Russian factor and regional challenges. Despite this caution, Georgia stands out as a stable entity, maintaining economic growth even amidst the global crises. International indicators consistently place Georgia at the forefront in numerous areas. This strong performance piques the interest of French investors.

Are there any specific sectors of interest?

Agriculture and animal husbandry have recently emerged as specific areas of interest, along with the energy sector. EDF, a highly reputable and reliable global company, has already participated in smaller projects in Georgia and has shown keen interest in larger ventures as well.

You've been Georgia's ambassador to France for nearly a year now. It appears that deepening economic relations is one of your key priorities. Are there other areas you would like to highlight?

Economic diplomacy indeed ranks among our top priorities, as it offers substantial benefits to both bilateral relations and the prosperity of our nation. However, our overarching political priority remains the promotion of our main agenda, European integration. We are working diligently with France to garner their support in this endeavor. France backs Georgia's quest for candidate status, a message consistently delivered during all political visits. It's worth noting that France was once more skeptical about this prospect. I distinctly recall my earlier tenure as deputy ambassador when my French colleagues expressed reservations, insisting that our population should be aware of all the efforts it take. We argued that, by all key criteria defining European identity, Georgia stands as one of the oldest European civilizations. These criteria encompass the influence of Greco-Roman culture, the presence of the Christian religion, and a history of democratic traditions. We are firmly rooted in Greco-Roman culture, boasting one of the oldest Christian civilizations, and our historical commitment to democratic traditions is evident in our ancient assembly halls at places like Uplistsikhe, where decisions were collectively made by rulers in consultation with the people. In the twelfth century, we even had a female monarch who sought counsel from the assembly, further demonstrating our long-standing adherence to democratic principles.

If we exclude the 70 years of forced Soviet existence when the Georgian nation was deprived of its freedom and self-determination, it is evident that we have a long history of democratic traditions. During the brief period from 1918 to 1921, we enjoyed a democratic and European state that drew the admiration of international observers. In fact, in 1920, representatives from the Second International came to Georgia to study how such a small nation, with a dedicated team of individuals, managed to implement such successful reforms. It is disheartening for me to reflect on this remarkable legacy that we had at the start of the century.

The constitution of our First Republic at that time met European requirements, even by today's standards. Remarkably, Georgian women not only had the right to vote, but they were also elected to parliament. This inclusivity extended to representatives of ethnic minorities, with a Muslim woman serving as a deputy in the electoral body. It's worth noting that in France, women were not granted the right to vote until the end of World War II, and in Switzerland, it happened in the 1970s.

I want to emphasize that it hurts me to see that Georgia is often perceived as having no history before the collapse of the Soviet Union, as if it appeared on the map along with other newly independent countries. The truth is, Georgia boasts a much longer and deeper history than many present-day European Union member states. This isn't a claim of superiority over others, but rather a rightful assertion that we existed as a successful state long before the Soviet Union. Had Soviet Russia not occupied and annexed Georgia, who knows what kind of nation we might be today. We could have aspired to become the "Switzerland of Eastern Europe," a thriving and prosperous nation. While it's challenging to predict our exact path, we can be certain that with the pace of development and commitment to democratic reforms that we once had, Georgia would undoubtedly be in a more favorable position today.

Unfortunately, much like in the past, Georgia continues to find itself maneuvering amidst larger nations, taking into account various factors to safeguard its very existence. In the midst of this struggle for survival, we must maintain stability and continue developing without compromising our commitment to democratic values and our unwavering dedication to the European path, a choice that reflects the will of the Georgian nation.