04.12.2009
Introduction

On December 4, 2009 the fourth meeting of the experts involved in Georgian component of “The Black Sea Peacebuilding Network” project was held in Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies (GFSIS).

The project is implemented with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and in cooperation with the Crisis Management Initiative (CMI).
At the meeting, two representatives of the Experts Working Group provided their presentations on the following topics: The Presence of Russian Military Bases in Abkhazia and South Ossetia (Teona Akubardia, Public Projects Centre) and The EU Role in Conflict Resolution in South Caucasus (Nika Chitadze, International Security Research Centre).

I. The Presence of Russian Military Bases in Abkhazia and South Ossetia

Teona Akubardia

As mentioned by the presenter, Russia already had its military forces in Akhazia before the August war. Apart from the legally located „Blue Helmets“, long before the armed conflict, Russia illegally located in Abkhazia so called railway army for the purpose of the rehabilitation of Abkhazian railway. Before that Russian military representatives were noticed in Gudauta military airport. After the war, Russia provided „legitimation“ of the presence of military forces in South Ossetia and upon the agreement on September 15, 2009 Russian military bases were decided to be placed in both breakaway regions. Anatoly Serdukov, Defence Minister of Russia and his Abkhazian and Ossetian de facto colleagues – Merab Kishmaia and Iuri Tanaev signed the agreement on locating of Russian military bases. The agreement with dev facto Abkhaz government envisages 49 years term, reviewed every 5 years, whereas the agreement with South Ossetia covers the period of 99 years. Based on the above mentioned agreements, Russia is eligible not only deploy the military bases, the document also envisages the training of military forces and cooperation on military intelligence issues. Upon the agreement in Abkhazia, Russian military forces shall be located in Gudauta and Ochamchira districts, and in South Ossetia – in Tskhinvali.

Based on various sources the presenter declared that it is planned by Moscow to build a new military airport on the territory of Tamarasheni and Kekhvi which means that the operative tactic actions on the territory of Georgia will become easier for Russia. The airport will be extended on the area of about 3200 square meters and as mentioned in media, it will be used not only for the military but for the civil aviation service as well. Concerning the amount of Russian military forces, 1700 Russian military servants will be deployed in each region.

The presenter underlined the fact that according to the agreement, Russia is entitled to implement construction works in order to set up military base infrastructure; also, it is envisaged to create joint army groups during the war or peaceful period.

It was also mentioned in the presentation that construction works of Russian military base have already started in Ochamchire (Abkhazia, Georgia). Also, the development of Bombora (Abkhazia, Georgia) military airport has started. Based on the recent data, the construction of the mentioned airport has been completed and relevant Russian military divisions are placed there. Some information sources have it that the construction of military base in Gali is under process too.

The presenter also spoke about so called sea border protection of Abkhazia; she reviewed the danger of provocation and escalation which arises from controlling the Black Sea area by Russian forces.

The expert also spoke about the on-going works on Samegrelo-Abkhazia border (fixing wire entanglements, blocking the alternative roads) which, from the presenter’s point of view, will cause the total isolation of Georgian population of Abkhazia.

Special attention was drawn to the funds which will be allocated by Russian Federation for the construction of military bases and other military infrastructure in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

The presenter concluded that the presence of Russian military force in the occupied region of Georgia is causing constraints to the security of Georgia and Euro-Atlantic integration; and at this stage there is no effective international mechanism that would force Russia to withdraw its military bases from Abkhazia and take back the acknowledgement of these regions. Accordingly, to her opinion, the only way is to give time to Abkhazians before they have a desire themselves to withdraw Russian military bases.

The expert underlined that Georgia should manage to solve the conflict through direct political dialogue with Abkhazians and Ossetians and make the country attractive economically as well as politically so that Abkhazians would wish to renew the relations with Georgia. Also it must be taken into consideration that it will be a long term process and Georgian authority should avoid confrontation with Abkhazia in order to manage and restore the territorial integrity of the country.

After the presentation the discussion was held between the experts who expressed various points of view. It was mentioned that the more is invested by Russia in these regions of Georgia (even in the form of military bases and military infrastructure), more difficult it will be to decide on withdrawal of its troops and withdrawal of the recognition. According to other views the investments in the infrastructure is not a prevailing factor for Russian stay as the interestd of the Russian governing elite. The necessity of conducting a study of the context and conditions of all regions with unresolved conflicts and analyze current threats was stressed. The experts also spoke about the distribution of the budget of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia and the transparency of the expended funds. They suppose that the Ministry of Defence might not have real evaluation of dangers.

It was suggested to update the information provided in the presentation on regular basis and provide an alternative, objective evaluation of the threats by the experts’ society and share the processed information with government representatives.

II. The EU Role in Conflict Resolution in South Caucasus

Nika Chitadze

Initially, the presenter reviewed the history of development of EU-Georgia relations. He declared that as not only Georgia has pro-European interests but the Ukraine and Moldova as well, in fact, the Black Sea is surrounded with the circle of the states having European orientation. In such environment, the Europe is much more motivated on making stable and long-term peace in Abkhzia and Tskhinvali regions. For this the EU should seriously thing about how to solve the issue of de-occupation of Georgia and how to reintegrate Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions back into Georgia.

The expert spoke about the steps which have been made in terms of conflict resolution with the EU support: Georgian government within the formate of European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and the action plan with the EU, also after the occupation of two regions of Georgia conducted the negotiations on the activation of the internal conflict regulation process. The EU played the crucial role in August 2008 to stop Russian aggression in Georgia, whereas European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia including around 200 monitors is patrooling at the nearby territory of the conflict zone. However, as mentioned by the presenter, there is much more to be done. For instance, it would be desirable if in the bilateral EU Georgia Action Plan the tools of regulation of the de-occupation process of Georgia were specified more clearly.
The presentation also provided the practice of the EU and NATO joint actions, which is well known as „Berlin Plus “agreement. The introduction of the EU and NATO components in conflict resolution is necessary indeed in order to decrease the influence of Russia over the whole Black Sea region.

The presenter underlined that the EU and NATO should work out the coordinated approach for carrying out peace initiative in the conflict zones of Georgia. It is possible to share the EU peacebuilding experience in Bosnia and Macedonia; the practising of the above mentioned experience in Georgia would activate peacebuilding and monitoring activities.

The expert provided the arguments to prove why it is important for Europe to solve the conflicts in the Caucasus. First, for the protection of energy security interests of Europe and stable functioning of energy corridor running through South Caucasus. The Europe and the USA are interested in secure functioning of this corridor as it is considered as the alternative source of Persian gulf and Russia in view of oil and gas import.
After the presentation the discussion was held between the experts of the Black Sea Peacebuilding Network.. It was noted that the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty (in force since December 1) provide for transforming the EU into more active and ambitious alliance from the military point of view, which apart from the common defence, will participate in the peacebuilding operations of the conflicts beyond the EU borders. Several sharp questions were put during the discussion: How strongly EU will influence the conflict resolution? What would be the real intention of the EU? How effective is the functioning of the EUMM? What is the possibility of acquiring a police function by the Mission? How increase EU’s involvement in the issues related to the return of the IDPs? etc.

Review of an Agenda for the next meeting of the experts of Black Sea Peacekeping network. Other issues.

End of the meeting

At the end of the meeting the presentations to be provided on the next meeting were discussed. Possible topics include: „Review of the period prior August 2008, peacebuilding plan and opportunities lost“(Giorgi Volski – International Centre for Geopolitical Studies) and “Women, gender and peacebuilding process” (Shorena Lortkipanidze- International Centre on Conflict and Negotiation).

The project is funded by the government of Finland