Georgian-Azerbaijan Alliance Serious Threat for Georgia: Analyst

The idea of a Georgian-Azerbaijan confederation presents a serious threat for Georgia, said Georgian political analyst Paata Zakareishvili to Russian paper Novaya Gazeta. 

“First of all, under these conditions of Nagorno-Karabakh’s unresolved conflict, Georgia actually goes over to Azerbaijan’s side. The Javakhq issue will also escalate. Many Armenians live in this area of Georgia. If until recently, it was possible to prevent separatist unrest thanks to Yerevan’s actions, then in the case of a Georgian-Azerbaijani confederation, Yerevan will lose interest in the issue of maintaining stability in Javakhq. Furthermore, the creation of a confederation also implies the existence of a joint army, and must we speak of the military threats, before which Georgia and Azerbaijan will stand, with Russia on the opposite side? Baku, through a strategic contract, is also connected to Ankara, and in any case of error, there will be problems in the region. There’s also the factor of Azerbaijan’s diaspora, which is perceived only by Baku. While its [Azerbaijanis’] integration into Georgian society is ruled out. The confederation idea would’ve been important if with its assistance, it would be possible to resolve regional issues, but nothing will change from a Baku-Tbilisi alliance. Naturally, Yerevan joining is currently excluded,” said Zakareishvili.