Q. In 2014, the Chairman of the Georgian Parliament had a visit where he met with Ruedi Lustenberger, then the President of the Swiss National Council. How intense are the bilateral relations currently?
A. Swiss-Georgian relations are not only good, friendly and trustful, but truly special, since Georgia entrusted my country with protecting its interests in the Russian Federation. Hence, we maintain frequent bilateral high-level contacts, most recently on the occasion of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Bilateral relations developed remarkably in the past two decades, and throughout this period, Switzerland has offered both substantial financial and technical support to Georgia in its democratic and socio-economic transition, and also political support with a view to addressing and transforming the long-standing political conflicts in the region. In recent years, economic relations have equally developed well, but there is still a considerable potential to be exploited; the conclusion of a free trade agreement between EFTA countries and Georgia should soon provide some new impetus to Swiss-Georgian trade relations.
Q. According to previous Prime Minister of Georgia, the trade turnover increased by 230% in 2014. What is the current picture and what are the newly emerging products for export and import?
As mentioned, bilateral trade volumes are still modest. According to provisional Geostat figures, trade with Switzerland amounted to USD 93.5 million in 2015, which represents less than 1% of Georgia’s total trade turnover. Yet, in comparison to 2014 figures, bilateral trade increased by 26%. From a Georgian perspective, imports outweigh exports by far, but that is the case not only in relation to Switzerland, but applies to Georgia’s foreign trade in general. We will be able to analyze the structure and dynamics of trade in 2015 once detailed figures are available. In recent years, agricultural products, textiles and precious metals were among the leading Georgian exports to Switzerland. Interestingly, some of the largest Swiss investments in Georgia are in agriculture and food processing (e.g. hazelnuts), which should over the years also be reflected in trade flows. In the opposite direction, traditional imports from Switzerland include pharmaceuticals, machinery, optical and medical instruments as well as watches.
Q. It has been years that there are no diplomatic ties between Russia and Georgia any longer. Russia has occupied 20% of the Georgian territory. In this political context, Switzerland, as usual, plays a role of a peace-maker. In your opinion, what can be the real results of your support in the relations with our Northern neighbor?
A. As a neutral country having good relations both with Georgia and Russia, Switzerland is entrusted with a protective power mandate on behalf of both countries, by which it represents and safeguards their interests. Thus, Switzerland contributes to maintaining an official diplomatic channel between Georgia and Russia; this is of vital importance – also for the respective populations – in the absence of diplomatic relations. In addition, Switzerland facilitates and promotes dialogue between Georgia and Russia through other channels, in particular by hosting the quarterly Geneva International Discussions, by accompanying the implementation of the 2011 Georgian-Russian Agreement on Customs Administration and by supporting the Abashidze-Karasin dialogue on practical issues in fields such as trade, transport, tourism and humanitarian issues. The results achieved in practical questions are quite substantial and amount to at least a partial normalization of relations. However, the fundamental issues are obviously much harder to address and to solve, and although Switzerland does its best to facilitate dialogue and to promote peace and reconciliation in the South Caucasus region, its role is not to be a mediator or a peace-maker.
Q. In 2015, summer, at the National Day of Switzerland, the former Prime-Minister of Georgia Mr. Garibashvili thanked the Swiss government for its traditional peace-making role in conflicts over the world. What is necessary to become a neutral and the most secure country in the world?
A. Switzerland’s century-old tradition of permanent neutrality is a fundamental principle of Swiss foreign policy and proved to be an effective means of safeguarding Switzerland’s internal stability and cohesion as well as its independence and territorial integrity, including during World War I and World War II. As early as in 1815, the major European powers formally recognized Switzerland’s permanent neutrality and guaranteed its territorial integrity, considering that this status contributed to peace and stability in Europe. There are two basic prerequisites for maintaining a credible and permanent neutrality status: 1) a self-imposed obligation not to participate militarily in any current or future international conflict; 2) an obligation and the capacity to defend the country’s neutral status militarily, should it come under threat. Switzerland has complied with these obligations for centuries, although it had to adapt its practice of neutrality time and again to changing circumstances. Switzerland’s neutrality goes hand in hand with its humanitarian tradition and its practice of providing good offices and offering its solidarity in the service of peace and prosperity, such as in the South Caucasus region.
Q. Have the Georgian officials had any consultations with the embassy about the possibilities of Georgia becoming a neutral country, or have you suggested discussing this issue?
A. No, Switzerland does not practice any proselytism with regard to its neutrality status which is unique and cannot be readily applied to other contexts.
Q. In 2011, Georgia has abolished any requirements for having visas, and the present government simplified it, as Zurab Abashidze said to Imedi TV, “because we are interested in boosting the number of Russian tourists.” Putin’s statement that he is ready to offer a visa-free regime to Georgians, freshly after the positive news from EU, is perceived as an attempt to ‘cover’ the forthcoming visa-liberalization with EU, adding that by such steps, Russia has not once used such ‘bait’ to cheat the countries in favor of its own geo-political interests and taken these ‘kind’ offers back as soon as its interests were ‘threatened, - such is the analysis of Georgian experts. ’Please, give us a detailed comment about visas with Russia, and your evaluation (as voiced, the simplified format includes working, humanitarian, private, business and other kind of visas too, speak about all of them please, which came in force on 23nd of December). Swiss embassy is again in charge. Do you have any information how has the number of Georgians going to Russia increased since then - dynamics, and statistics - how many went and did they have any problems, or how did they feel themselves on their arrival?
A. As I mentioned, Switzerland represents the diplomatic interests of the Russian Federation in Georgia. However, consular services such as issuing visas, passports, etc. are handled directly by the Russian Federation’s interest section (RFIS) which is located in the premises of the former Russian Embassy in Tbilisi. Any question in this regard should be addressed directly to the RFIS.
Source: Georgian newspaper "Versia"
