Foreign relations of Georgia

Georgia's location, nestled between the Black Sea, Russia, and Turkey, renders it strategically important. It is developing as the gateway from the Black Sea to the Caucasus and the larger Caspian region, but also serves as a buffer between Russia and Turkey. Georgia has a long and tumultuous relationship with Russia, but it is reaching out to its other neighbours and looking to the West in search of alternatives and opportunities. It signed a partnership and cooperation agreement with the European Union, participates in the Partnership for Peace, and encourages foreign investment. France, Germany, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States all have embassies in Tbilisi. Georgia in 2004-2008 sought to become a member of NATO, but did not succeed in the face of strong Russian opposition.^[1]

Georgia is a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE. Because of its strategic location, Georgia is in both the Russian and American spheres of influence,^[2] however Georgia's relationship with Russia is at its lowest point since 1921 due to Russo-Georgian War. As a result, Georgia broke off diplomatic relations with Russia and has left the Commonwealth of Independent States.^[3]^[4]

^ Tsygankov, Andrei P. (2013). "The Russia-NATO mistrust: Ethnophobia and the double expansion to contain 'the Russian Bear'". Communist and Post-Communist Studies. 46 (1): 179–188. doi:10.1016/j.postcomstud.2012.12.015.
^ Utiashvili, Tamta (4 June 2014). "Why Is a Small State Like Georgia Important for the USA, the EU and Russia?". e-ir.info/. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
^ Kramer, Andrew (29 August 2008). "Georgia and Russia Cut Diplomatic Ties". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
^ Nana Bolashvili, Andreas Dittmann, Lorenz King, Vazha Neidze (eds.): National Atlas of Georgia, 138 pages, Steiner Verlag, 2018, ISBN 978-3-515-12057-9

[1] Tsygankov, Andrei P. (2013). "The Russia-NATO mistrust: Ethnophobia and the double expansion to contain 'the Russian Bear'". Communist and Post-Communist Studies. 46 (1): 179–188. doi:10.1016/j.postcomstud.2012.12.015.

[2] Utiashvili, Tamta (4 June 2014). "Why Is a Small State Like Georgia Important for the USA, the EU and Russia?". e-ir.info/. Retrieved 21 October 2014.

[3] Kramer, Andrew (29 August 2008). "Georgia and Russia Cut Diplomatic Ties". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 October 2014.

[4] Nana Bolashvili, Andreas Dittmann, Lorenz King, Vazha Neidze (eds.): National Atlas of Georgia, 138 pages, Steiner Verlag, 2018, ISBN 978-3-515-12057-9

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