Georgia, Armenia, Partnership & Politics in the South Caucasus

Conversations on Groong

Topics:
Georgian Nationalism and Identity
Georgia, Armenia, post 2018
Accession to the EU
Strategic Partnership

Guest:
Archil Sikharulidze - TW/@achosikha

Hosts:
Hovik Manucharyan - TW/@HovikYerevan
Asbed Bedrossian - TW/@qubriq

00:00:00 Intro to show with Archil Sikharulidze
00:02:05 Georgian identity and how does it drive its politics and policies?
00:06:11 Why aren’t the Armenian and Georgian nations better allies & friends?
00:10:06 How did you and Georgians perceive the events in Armenia in 2018?
00:11:14 Pro-western & pro-Russian narratives in Georgia and Armenia
00:14:29 Now those perceptions on the 2018 revolution in Armenia
00:15:12 Nobody studies Armenia in Georgian universities
00:18:43 Does the division in identity also divide Georgians along political lines?
00:22:53 Is Georgia’s relationship with Turkey colored by history?
00:23:52 Do Georgia’s ties with Turkey/Azerbaijan color relations with Armenia?
00:27:32 What are Georgian Turkish relations based on?
00:28:04 Georgia’s reliance on Azerbaijan
00:29:29 Diametrically opposed perceptions of Turkey
00:30:10 What do we mean by “European”?
00:33:48 Georgia’s journey to EU accession
00:38:27 Georgia’s successful diplomacy in navigating Ukraine polarization
00:42:47 Why was Armenian not as successful?
00:44:39 Russia’s different reactions to Armenia/Georgia EU asporations
00:50:12 Does Russia have a red line for Georgia joining NATO?
00:52:56 Armenia Georgia Strategic Partnership - why is so little known?
00:54:37 Why is defense excluded?
00:56:04 Scenarios where Armenia can become pro-western
00:57:38 Would Georgia block Armenia’s arms shipments in the future?
01:02:45 Wrap up and discussion about who owns Khnkali and Khachapouri
01:03:26 About Dr. Archil Sikharulidze

Episode 315 | Recorded: March 12, 2024
https://podcasts.groong.org/315