New Directions for Georgia

Introduction

Ladies and Gentlemen, Honored Guests, Friends:

• It is a privilege for me to address you this afternoon on my first official visit to Europe as President of Georgia.
• I am proud that I have come to the heart of Europe — to Berlin, to discuss recent events in my country with my colleagues and German counterparts.
• Georgia as you all know is a nation whose customs and traditions are deeply rooted in European culture and European values.
• Georgia is also a nation that shares much with the German people:
  • We have strong cultural links.
  • We have done business with each other for more than one hundred years (i.e. Siemens); and most significantly,
  • We share common aspirations to live in a free and democratic society, integrated within European structures.
• For us Georgians, I want to say that we understand the experience of German reunification in a deep and profound manner — as we too seek to reclaim our rightful place in Europe that was denied us for too long.
• Unfortunately, the end of Communism did not result in the immediate reestablishment of full integration with Europe, because in many ways - the former leadership failed the governance test.
• The culmination of this failure in governance was in fact the spark that led to our peaceful Rose Revolution — a Revolution driven by average citizens who stood up to defend the fundamental right to freely chose and elect their own government when it was denied them.
• The citizens of Georgia — of whom I am extremely proud, sent a message around the world last November — that their beliefs, that their values are fundamentally European — and that Georgians will nolonger tolerate the disintegration of their state.
• Through massive peaceful civil disobedience, the citizens of Georgia regained their freedom once again.
• A freedom that I have pledged to protect through the reform and restructuring of the Georgian state.

A FEW THOUGHTS ON THE MEANING OF THE REVOLUTION

I think there are three main lessons that can be learned from our Rose Revolution.

1. The first lesson is that Georgia has once again proven - at home and abroad - that it is a nation whose culture, values and system of governance are fundamentally European.

• Despite our past artificial separation from Europe, the Revolution showed that we have succeeded in retaining, maintaining and defending our democratic vision.
• If ever there was a doubt that Georgians were not Europeans or that we have different values - this Revolution showed both the strength and the depth o f our universal commitment.
• Here I wish to make a specific point: Georgia‘s commitment to the principles of liberal democracy is not a reflection of a small elite but rather, a reflection of the overwhelming will of the people - as expressed during the dramatic month of November when all across Georgia, hundreds of thousands of citizens made their voices heard.

2. The second lesson is that Georgia‘s future - as a stable and peaceful democracy - is dependent upon, and rooted in, the full integration within Euro-Atlantic structures.

• As President, I view full integration into the European Union as both a goal and a manifestation of our rightful destiny.
• Because we are European - we belong in Europe.
• Looking rationally at the situation, the first step in this process will be for Europe to recognize Georgia‘s place in the Wider European Initiative.
• During my meetings yesterday in Strasbourg and here in Berlin — I am calling on our European friends, and in particular MY GERMAN FRIENDS, to answer our call and recognize our role.
• Through a strengthened partnership between Germany and Georgia, I am confident that we can succeed in completing the cycle of full European unification.
• I am confident that Georgia will be a reliable and responsible for partner.

3. The third lesson of the Revolution is that Georgia‘s integration into Europe will make Europe a safer and more prosperous Union.

Georgia will become a net contributor to European stability. I make that claim for a number of reasons.

• First, Georgia has already survived its most important governance test - Managing the succession process.
• For any transitional nation in the world - the succession test is perhaps the most brutal - for it exposes the nation to threat of instability and disintegration.
• While many predicted we would fall apart and disintegrate during our succession - Georgia in fact became stronger as a result, and more unified.
• Georgians should be proud — and Georgia should be recognized, for passing that test with dignity and resolve.
• We passed this critical governance test because of our maturity and because of the deep and universal support for democracy that binds our nation and establishes its strong, European identity.
• Passing the succession test is clear proof that stability is onthe rise in Georgia.
• Second, our Revolution provided confirmation that democratic, non-violent transition is possible in the States of the former Soviet Union.
• Please understand, while our intention is not to export Georgia‘s model to rest of the region - we nevertheless provided a powerful example to nearby States, that stability and democracy are linked and are possible!
• In that respect, Georgia‘s example CAN lead to region wide stability and the spread of democracy and democratic principles.
• Put otherwise, by investing in Georgia‘s success today —which is a unique window of opportunity - we have an opportunity to change the fate of an entire region tomorrow....
• Finally, Georgia‘s stability and democracy contributes DIRECTLY to European security.
• It is high time Georgia becomes a contributor to Europe and not just a recipient of donor assistance - and today Georgians proved this is possible.
• Specifically, I mean that the reinforcement of democracy in Georgia and Georgia‘s integration within Europe will mean the Union has a strong and reliable partner on its Eastern flank.
• That frontline partner can help the EU solve many difficult issues while at the same time, opening up new markets and new opportunities.
• An example of some of the issues where Georgia can help the EU include:
  • Solving migration issues.
  • Fighting the spread of terrorism.
  • Ending human trafficking
  • Interdiction of drugs and weapons. And
  • Creation of real economic opportunities for EU companies and EU citizens through access to new and untapped regional markets.
• In other words, Georgia‘s entrance into the EU will create a win-win situation for the entire community and all of its citizens.

Reflecting for a moment on the experiences of one of our role models in the region, I want to share with you the words of the Prime Minister of Estonia, Mr. Mart Laar who observed in his article in the Wall Street Journal that:“ Europe‘s future today, depends oncountries like Georgia“.

I fully agree with his Excellency and would like to add that Georgia looks to Germany for the leadership and partnership to make that possible.

CHALLENGES ALONG THEWAY...

I am sure that no one in this room believes Georgia‘s road to full integration in Euro-Atlantic structures will be easy - nor will it take place overnight.

I know — and so do the Georgian people, that as a nation - we have no other choice.

Nevertheless, Georgia faces a number of fundamental challenges that it must tackle. And it must tackle them swiftly, with purpose and with strength.

• Some of the challenges are internal - some of those challenges are external.

Internal Challenges

• Fighting corruption (visible and institutional).
• Eradicating poverty (poverty reduction plan).
• Spurring economic growth:
  • Tied to defeating corruption,
  • Reducing poverty and
  • Changing the tax and investment environment (Under my Presidency, all foreign investors will be welcome in Georgia and given the full support of my government.)
• Reforming government and governance (real local self governance and down-sizing and professionalization).
• Re-establishing territorial integrity.

External Challenges

• Re-establishing territorial integrity is both an internal and an external problem as it touches the heart of Georgian-Russian relations.
• During my Inauguration I extended my hand to Russia as a signal of our willingness to open a new era of positive relations.
• Next month when I travel to Moscow, it is my hope that Mr. Putin will take that hand.
• In the past, it is true that Russia played a negative role in Georgia, conducting a policy of peacekeeping that sought to keep one piece here and one piece there.
• Indeed, they are still dragging their feet on the issue of base closings.
• Nevertheless, I am sure that we can forge a new basis for cooperation because we share so many of the same interests.
• I doubt many of the people in this room think that I have much in common with Mr. Putin — and yet there are many fundamental issues where we see eye to eye:
  • Both of us have a deep and profound respect for the State.
  • Both of us believe in the Rule of Law.
  • Both of us love our countries.
  • And both of us wish to strengthen and build our economy.
• If Russia is willing to adopt a pragmatic approach to its relations with Georgia — one grounded in respect for the sovereignty and dignity of the Georgian people —I am sure we can enhance our cooperation and advance our mutual legitimate interests.

• Just as I have asked for Germany‘s support in completing our integration into Euro-Atlantic structures - so too am I confident that Germany can be a key player in helping Moscow understand that the new leadership in Tbilisi is ready for new dialogue and a new beginning.
• I want to state today, for the record, that Georgia is committed to solving its territorial problems using peaceful, non-violent solutions - working cooperatively with the Russians and other international partners.
• Our Rose Revolution proved that we can bring about great changes without bloodshed or violence.
• While Georgia‘s foreign policy is deeply oriented towards the West because our culture and values are Western in style and substance— we do not need to make a zero-sum choice.
• We do not need to become a battlefield between great powers.
• Georgia is not pro-American nor is it pro-Russian. Georgia is pro-Georgian and that means strong, responsible and friendly relations with all of its neighbors.

CONCLUSION

Four days ago, at my inauguration I dedicated my Presidency to the Georgian people - to all those who have suffered and even given their lives to preserve our freedom - to the children of Georgia whose future we must rebuild - and to the reestablishment of complete and total territorial integrity throughout Georgia.

I stand before you today, presenting a firm and unwavering commitment to lead Georgia back to the European fold - to stand once again, side by side with our European brothers and sisters, with our GERMAN FRIENDS, so that together we can build a more stable and prosperous union.

Today, Georgia is on the way home - the journey however is not yet finished. There are important doors that remain only half-open.

The Georgian people are determined to open those doors and it will take your help and your commitment to welcome us in.

By working together, I am confident that we will succeed and that we will share a common future.