Georgia adopts concept of relations with North-Caucasian nations

Today, Georgia has recorded its vision of establishing and deepening relationships with the nations of Northern Caucasus in the appropriate state concept, adopted the country's Parliament.

The concept was jointly developed by the Parliamentary Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Caucasus and the National Security Council. Its developers claim that the objective of the strategy is to strengthen relations between the nations of Georgia and the republics of Northern Caucasus. The initiators of the adoption of the document believe that Russia should be interested in the implementation of the concept.

The document, which was adopted unanimously by 99 votes, addresses the issues of relations between the nations, economy and trade, human rights, freedom of media, relationship of Diasporas and health care, development of cooperation in science, education, culture, and sports. The Georgian authorities express their willingness to assist the nations of Northern Caucasus in the spheres of human rights protection, free media, and development of civil society institutions.

"Georgia expresses its concern over the unstable situation in Northern Caucasus, which represents a severe threat to fundamental human rights. Georgia agrees with the results of numerous studies of international human rights organizations, according to which, Northern Caucasus constantly faces persecution of people by ethnic and political grounds, kidnappings , intimidation, and other processes, trampling their dignity and honour," the concept states.

Georgia is ready to assist the nations of Northern Caucasian in the protection of human rights by means of informing the international community "about the real situation in the region." Furthermore, Georgia is ready to become a free arena for human rights defenders from Northern Caucasus and for organizations and individuals, interested in that issue.

Earlier, on May 20, 2011, at the plenary session, the Georgian Parliament unanimously adopted the resolution entitled "On recognition of Circassian genocide committed by the Russian empire". On October 12, 2011, Georgia established Centre of Circassian Culture, and on April 19, it became known that the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Georgia opens its archives for the Centre. Georgian politicians initiated active work to establish relations with the Circassian communities of the republics of Northern Caucasus.

Meanwhile, according to a number of Russian experts, the Georgian leadership tries to use "Circassian issue" to expand its influence in Northern Caucasus