The armed conflict between Russia and Georgia has produced a major political-military crisis capable of generating profound transformations in the system of international relations. Rapid and fundamental degradation of institutional cooperation mechanisms and relations between Russia, on the one part, and the European Union and NATO, on the other, marks the beginning of a new period of confrontation, with serious implications for regional security and stability.
August 27, 2008. On 31 July 2008, the world witnessed the beginning of a re-escalation of tensions between Georgia and its breakaway region South Ossetia, which devolved into full-scale Russian military operations in South Ossetia and within undisputed Georgian territory. The stated reason for Russia's internationally dubbed "disproportionate" response on behalf of the breakaway region was that the country must protect its citizens (Russia had begun distributing Russian passports to the population of Georgia's two breakaway regions, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, in the last few years).
I reject the decision of the Russian Government to extend recognition to the South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions of Georgia. This is in direct violation of numerous UN Security Council resolutions regarding Georgia's territorial integrity, resolutions that Russia itself has endorsed. Russia's actions in recent weeks call into question Russia's commitment to peace and security in the Caucasus. NATO firmly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, and calls on Russia to respect these principles.
Though Russian authorities officially state and assure that their troops are being removed from Georgian territory we are still getting information about cases of robbery in the territories that are under the control of Russian troops, as well as about destruction of military and civil structures of Georgia.
The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement on the recent violence in Georgia's South Ossetia region: Canada is gravely concerned about the recent violence in South Ossetia, and we deplore the casualties that have resulted...
On August 13, 2008, thirteen NGOs united in the Latvian NGO Coalition for the Support of Georgia with the aim of coordinating NGO activities in order to promote Latvian political and humanitarian support for Georgia. Members of the initiative group are NGOs that have experience in Georgia and are active in the country at present. The Coalition has issued the following statement, calling on the people of Latvia, the Government and the Parliament (Saiema) to be more active in supporting the Georgian government and people.
Please allow us to express our solidarity with the Georgian people and the Georgian civil society, in these painful moments. We understand and share your concern about the political situation in your country and we would like to assure you of our full support.
Public Movement "Multinational Georgia" (PMMG) is calling to its partners and all NGOs around Europe to support the initiative "Europe begins in Brussels and might end up in Georgia - Save Georgia" which aims provision societies of these countries with real information about events taking place in Georgia as a result of Russian aggression.
This article as published in the Independent on Sunday, on 10 August, 2008.
Do you think Russia's actions in Georgia are justified?
MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced Tuesday that he has ordered an end to military operations against Georgia. The announcement came minutes before French President Nicolas Sarkozy was to land in Moscow to meet with Medvedev to negotiate terms for a possible cease-fire.
The hereby signers, are making a statement to express our support to the Republic of Georgia, currently being attacked by the Russian Federation, we are making a call to the European Union, the United States of America, and all peoples and nations of the world to repulse the current aggressions being performed by the Russian military lead by president Dmitry Medvedev and prime minister Vladimir Putin; our plead is to call the nations of the world and all International Organizations, to demand an immediate ceasefire and the removal of Russian troops off Georgian territories; we also call the Russian people to reject the hostilities and urge their government to return to peace.
Ambassador Irakli Alasania's speech at the UN
On 30 June, 2008 the GFSIS honoured the graduates of the "Training Course for Georgian Journalists in National Security and International Relations Issues." The course, funded by the Embassy of the United States in Tbilisi, was the third in a series designed to train print, broadcast and e-media journalists in issues related to foreign and domestic security policies, economics and important issues facing states in transition. The programme was formally launched at the Foundation on 27 November 2007.
The year-long training programme, funded jointly by the Embassies of Greece and Switzerland in Tbilisi and under the direction of the GFSIS, featured the participation of 12 young leaders from Georgia's ethnic Greek minority community who took part in a specially designed programme to facilitate their further integration into the Georgian state.
The GFSIS as an implementing organization of the project from Georgian side invites qualified prospective participants to join the project
The GFSIS, the International Association of Young Diplomats, Businessmen, Scientists and Lawyers and the Strategic Research Centre of the Yeditepe University in collaboration with NATO, TIKA and Tantim Fonu organised an international conference entitled "Security Through Europe From Turkey to the South Caucasus" which was held on 27 - 28 March at the premises of the Foundation.
A graduation ceremony was held at the Foundation on 29 February to formally confer certificates upon the sixth group of graduates of the Training Course in International Relations and National Security. Funded by the United States Department of State, the programme offers seminars on topics including small states, globalisation, economics, research methods and Euro-Atlantic structures, amongst others, and has an impressive group of alumni of over a hundred fellows since it was started in 2002. Currently, the programme is running in its seventh year.
Supporters of Georgian presidential candidate Mikhail Saakashvili waves flags during a rally, celebrating the exit polls results announcement in Tbilisi, Georgia, early Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. Saakashvili appeared headed for victory in Saturday's election in Georgia, according to an exit poll in this former Soviet republic where he has fought to restore his democratic credentials. By Tara Bahrampour. Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, January 7, 2008.
Ján Kubiš, the Slovak Foreign Minister, was a guest of the Foundation on 27 November 2007 as a part of his official visit to Georgia. Mr Kubiš, who chairs the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, has been the Foreign Minister since July 2006. Previously, he held the position of Secretary General of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
The project goal is to introduce and reinforce modern management skill sets...
GSAC was founded at the GFSIS to foster discussion and understanding of Georgian security issues among opinion makers in NATO countries.
Training course for Georgian Journalists in International Relations, Political and Economic Issues
Enhancing Journalists' Skills in Economics and Finances
The goal of the project is to ensure independent and qualified evolution of GoG’s progress in ENP AP implementation.
Building up a nucleus of the confidence in existing groups of the Georgian and Russian experts and engagement of Abkhazians and Ossetians in the dialogue.
The project intends to promote a dialogue between the members of the Georgian and South Ossetian societies.
The project intends to address the lack of healthy policy debate and the polarized political environment existing in Georgia
The proposed intervention aims at forging a common understanding and vision of the Georgian state among the citizens of Georgia despite their ethnic origin and promoting a national integration process in line with the principles of modern, democratic state.
