Lithuanian Ambassador on Georgia’s EU Aspirations

Interview

Lithuania is one of the more resilient strategic partners that Georgia can turn to nowadays, with the country an outspoken supporter of Georgia’s coveted aim, EU and NATO membership. GEORGIA TODAY and Panorama TV Show sat down with the Ambassador of Lithuania to Georgia, his excellence Giedrius Puodžiunas, at the International Black Sea University, to talk more about relations between the two countries. The interview was attended by the students and academic staff.

As a historian, how would you compare the shared history of post-soviet times of our two countries?

I’ve been here more than two years and I’m impressed with how many similarities we can enjoy despite being geographically and linguistically remote countries. We’ve both had our golden days and dark times. Next year, we celebrate 100 years of Lithuanian statehood. History was a bit nicer to us as we secured our independence for 22 years while Georgia had just three. I’d say that our special glue is the attitude of Georgians and Lithuanians towards freedom. Freedom is not given: you have to fight for it. We know the value and importance of freedom. That’s why Georgians and Lithuanians can so easily relate to each other.

On Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations: why is what you achieved in 2004 a struggle for Georgia?

Don’t look for answers in the past. Look forward and you will be successful. Our way to the EU and NATO wasn’t rosy. You have to be united in your geopolitical goals. We joke that we are two Lithuanians and three parties: we quarrel a lot but in our geopolitical projects, we’re united and speak in one voice. You also need to be ambitious and realistic; dedicated and consistent. I believe Georgia is on the right path. The visa liberalization is very important symbolically and we congratulate you and the Ukrainians for this big achievement.

Is being democratic, making reforms, trying to be part of the western society enough?

You implement reforms not because NATO and the EU are imposing something on you but because you want to be better governed, more resilient, more competitive, and because all those reforms work for the future of your country. I first came to Georgia 15 years ago and now it’s a totally different country. The process of reforms is useful for Georgia. The DCFTA opened up a window of opportunities. You can sell your services, and goods to the most lucrative market in the world. How your business will use that chance is a different story. There’s tough competition. You have to be prepared for this and adapt. Consistency is key. Georgia’s contribution to NATO is very important and everyone acknowledges that. Georgia is a valuable and reliable partner.

Georgian sovereignty & Georgia’s European future?

We believe that every country has the sovereign right to decide to whom it will be joined. If you decide to be part of NATO and the EU no one has the right to veto it. That’s very clear. What concerns the neighborhood is a more difficult question- there are a lot of challenges, especially since the wars of 2008 and 2014 that completely changed the geopolitical reality to which Lithuania is trying to adapt. We face challenges but we’re doing a great job by increasing our budget. Next year we’ll have 2% of GDP for defense, conscription is back, we are purchasing necessary military equipment, so we are doing our homework and adapting to modern challenges.

So be prepared and hope for the best?

Before 2003, we were told many times that Lithuania would never be a NATO member, but we were consistent and here we are. You have the declaration of the Bucharest Summit that one day Georgia will be a NATO member. You have to do what you do and be very ambitious until the very end.

Let’s discuss the Russian influence. Based on Lithuania’s experience, is dialogue with Russia result-based?

Well, it’s not an easy neighbor; one which dramatically influenced a change of security and political architecture up to 2014. Lithuania is doing its part. We’d be happy to have best possible relations with our big neighbor but you do need two to tango. As I said, on the military side, we’re doing our homework and we believe in future it will be different. Russia will most probably change, too. What we can do now is support such countries as Georgia and Ukraine which are looking for a better future and see that coming from close cooperation with the Euro-Atlantic family.

And the Association Agreement?

The EU AA is a very important milestone on the way to integration. Implementing those reforms, such as those foreseen at the Prague Summit for the ambitious AA agenda, is not easy. It is costly, sometimes painful and often very unpopular, such as the technical inspection of cars: it will be costly and needs adaptation but there is no other way.

By Vazha Tavberidze

 

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