Georgia in the West
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Published: 2011-10-13
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ISBN-13: 9781619770003
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThree years after the Russia-Georgia war, ambiguity surrounds Georgia's path to Euro-Atlantic integration as Russia remains in violation of the ceasefire agreement that ended the conflict and has become an occupying force in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. US and European leadership is needed now more than ever if Georgia is to succeed in its quest for democracy, prosperity, and Euro-Atlantic integration. The next two years in advance of parliamentary and presidential elections will be a litmus test for Georgian democracy and Western policy. During this critical time, Georgia must demonstrate a firm commitment to democratic principles and advance important political and economic reforms. At a time when Georgia's future is in play, Washington and Europe must reinvigorate their engagement with Georgia in order to bolster its political, security, and economic future. A policy of "hold close, push hard" premised on a shared commitment to a united, democratic Georgia in NATO and the European Union and backed up by specific initiatives will help secure Georgia's place in Europe. This is the main message of the Atlantic Council's new report, Georgia in the West: A Policy Road Map to Georgia's Euro-Atlantic Future. The report reflects the findings of the Council's bipartisan expert Task Force on Georgia, co-chaired by Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Senator Lindsey Graham.Georgia in the West: A Policy Road Map to Georgia's Euro-Atlantic Future highlights key recommendations for US and European policymakers to strengthen Georgia's ongoing integration with NATO and the European Union, by offering a clear vision and concrete intermediate benefits as Georgia progresses. The report also offers recommendations for the Georgian government and all sectors of Georgian society to undertake important internal reforms that advance Georgian democracy. The report also lays out strategies to counter Russia's creeping annexation of the occupied territories and solidify an international commitment to Georgia's territorial integrity over the long-term.
