INTERVIEW: State Minister of Georgia for Diaspora Issues

On September 23rd, the historical Leuville Chateau Estate, located around 27 kilometers from Paris, France, was finally returned to Georgia.

GEORGIA TODAY talked to Gela Dumbadze, the State Minister of Georgia for Diaspora Issues to find out more on the resolution itself and to hear further development plans for the property.

The transfer process started in 2011. What was the main influencing factor in terms finalizing this process?

The main determinant factors were the sincere attitude, coherent actions, and academic approach. Even though in 2011 the memorandum was signed, it was not followed by the transfer of the property. So I would not say that the transfer process actually started in 2011 but more that the procedures have been carried out over the last two years and resulted in the successful implementation of the transfer process and finalization of the agreement both from Georgian and French sides on 23rd of September, 2016. However, it should be noted that we welcome and appreciate any action that has benefited the process of the return of historical Leuville Chateau Estate to Georgia in any form.

This process took quite some time: 12 years of active negotiations and 25 years of expectations. Why?

In 1922, exiled chairman of the government of the independent republic of Georgia Noe Zhordania and his government emigrated in France in order escape the Soviet regime. The chateau was bought in 1927 and the signing parties were government members of the first republic of Georgia and their decedents. For years Georgia, to those immigrants, was associated with an authoritarian soviet country, thus the testament regarding the transfer of the chateau to an independent Georgian republic could not be materialized until Georgia regained its independence and acquired the reputation of a trustworthy country.

Why did the Georgian emigrants settle down in Leuville and not elsewhere?

I believe the decision to stay there was very much influenced by the warm welcome of the French people and the French government. This was, of course, highlighted by me during the signing ceremony of the transfer process. I’d say the city hall of Leuville has done special service to our country as our emigrants and their predecessors felt supported, and the chateau has been taken care of.

What is the political importance of this agreement to Georgia?

It has not only political but historic importance as Leuville is not only a beautiful Chateau estate located around 30 kilometers from Paris, but, in addition to that, the return of this territory for Georgia might act as a stimulus to return other territories that have been lost due to different geopolitical reasons in a peaceful way. We plan to establish the Georgian-French cultural center there and to preserve its historical identity and involve different scholars and professionals in Leuville in order to popularize our country in Europe.

The Georgian government plans to spend EUR 5,600,000 over 10 years on development of the property

This is the amount the government is ready to spend; however, we are ready to receive grants and investments from private companies as well- from companies that are ready to invest in a project that has societal, moral and historical importance.

How was the agreement received by the Georgian emigrants?

During the ceremony I could see how happy they were as the dream of their predecessors, their families, came true. Unfortunately, the daughter of Noe Zhordnia, Natela Zhordania, passed away just a couple of months before this ceremony, but she was very much involved in this process and it was very sad for us that she could not attend.

Tell us more about specific projects

I was head of the parity commission for two years and other members included Tea Tsulukiani, the Minister of Justice of Georgia; Ekaterine Siradze-Delone, Ambassador of Georgia to the Republic of France; and Gocha Javakhishvili, Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to France. We made it possible for this agreement to be finalized. We have views and aim to develop concrete plans regarding the future development of the estate.