New Reality of Georgia-European Union Relations — A Neighboring State's Perspective

The South Caucasus is a region where peoples' destinies are intertwined not only by geography but also by a common history of struggle for freedom and independence. In this space, full of complex past entanglements and contradictory present challenges, new strategic contours of the future are being built.
In light of recent comments by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, a new perspective on the relationships between South Caucasus countries and European institutions is emerging. Particular attention should be paid to the position regarding Georgia and its relations with the European Union, which have recently faced certain challenges.
President Ilham Aliyev emphasizes the strategic importance of relations with Georgia for the region. According to him, it is Georgia and Azerbaijan that have transformed the South Caucasus region into a strategically significant space. Located between the Caspian and Black Seas, these states open paths to various regions and continents for each other.
The high level of mutual understanding, partnership, and friendship demonstrated since the beginning of the independence period has allowed for creating a solid foundation for cooperation, which is important not only for the two countries but for the entire region.
In his comments, the President of Azerbaijan expressed sharp criticism of the European Commission for its attitude toward internal processes in Georgia. Aliyev characterized this attitude as "absolutely unacceptable" and compared it to a colonial approach.
"The European Commission's attitude toward internal processes in Georgia is unacceptable. This is how colonizers behave. They are trying to view the will of the Georgian people from the positions of a colonial past," stated the President of Azerbaijan.
According to President Ilham Aliyev, European institutions seek to interfere in the internal affairs of countries in the region, finance certain segments of society, and influence the young generation. He expressed full support for the Georgian government in its decisions aimed at protecting the country's sovereignty.
Special attention in the comments is given to the issue of financing from Western institutions. According to the statement, some Western non-governmental organizations use various methods to transfer money, including Georgian banks "controlled by foreigners," credit cards without names, and cash.
President Ilham Aliyev emphasizes that the purpose of such financing is to destabilize the situation in the region, which causes serious concern for neighboring countries.
Speaking about the future of the South Caucasus, the President of Azerbaijan advocated for strengthening the partnership between countries in the region without the participation of external mediators. In his opinion, the main burden in developing regional cooperation should be taken by the "leading countries of the South Caucasus."
President Ilham Aliyev called for considering the possibilities of the South Caucasus and establishing connections without any external mediation, noting the negative experience of previous international mediation missions.
President Ilham Aliyev spoke about respecting the sovereignty of countries in the region and their right to resolve internal issues independently. "Georgia's internal problems should be solved by the Georgian people, not by bureaucrats from Brussels," the President of Azerbaijan emphasized.
President Ilham Aliyev's statements reflect the growing desire in the region for greater independence and resistance to external pressure, especially from European institutions.
The future of Georgia's relations with European institutions will depend on the ability of both sides to find a balance between integration processes and respect for the sovereign right of the country to determine its path of development without external pressure.

Gulnara Safarli

SR-CENTER.INFO