Georgia from the inside The geopolitical crossroads of the Caucasus and connecting Europe to Central Asia and China
| Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia is a bridge that connects several important global economic regions. The shortest route from Europe to China passes through Georgia and the "Silk Road" trade has always passed through the Caucasus region. |
According to the international group Tasnim news agency, the South Caucasus region can be one It is considered one of the most important geopolitical regions of the world. This region, which consists of 3 countries, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, has always been the focus of attention of the great powers of the East and West for a long time due to various geographical and political reasons.
Unique location Being at the center of communication routes between the East and West of the world, as well as establishing a connection between the North and South of the world, has made the Caucasus a global communication highway that connects a part of the world economy.
other extremely important advantages, such as the possession of huge energy resources and the crossing of international energy lines, have turned this region into an important and influential region in global trends in the eyes of many politicians and experts.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the fragmentation of its republics in 1991, which led to the creation of the 3 countries of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia in the Caucasus region, each of them at a certain point in time became the center of attention of regional and extra-regional powers. .
Meanwhile, the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia have enjoyed a much higher importance in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran for various reasons during the past 30 years.
Georgia is of lower importance in the approach of Iran’s diplomacy due to reasons such as its proximity and border with Russia and being in the first layer of Moscow’s security, and after that, the existence of strong pro-Western orientations in Tbilisi and presence in the foreign policy circuit of the United States. has enjoyed.
It should also be added that due to religious reasons, Georgia has not been in the focus of Iran’s religious and subsequently political institutions.
But now, with the rapid change in the structures of the international system and the transition period in this world order, along with the change in the government and the first levels of the country’s political decision-makers, the change of perspective at the helm of the diplomatic system and the importance of neighborhood and regional policies in The new government, as well as the highlighting of the issues and challenges of the South Caucasus region, should be viewed from a completely different and more forward-looking perspective by the officials of the foreign policy apparatus.
The new approach should include recognition of political and economic opportunities and advantages. This country aims to improve the level of cooperation and create a balance in Iran’s foreign policy in the South Caucasus region, which can be one of the most important issues of the country’s diplomacy in the near future.
Georgia to The title of one of the most unknown neighboring countries of Iran has great economic, political and social capacities and benefits. This lack of recognition of domestic capacities, especially for Iranian politicians and economic activists, has made the expansion of relations and investment in various fields with Georgia either forgotten or faced with many problems.
In order to get to know Georgia as much as possible and the increasing importance of Tbilisi in the political trends of the region, playing the important role of this country in the economy and commerce of Iran, as well as examining the cultural and civilizational commonalities between the two countries, a series of articles titled “Georgia from the Inside” will be published weekly.
These materials focus on the politics, economy, culture and society of Georgia with the approach of recognizing the advantages and examining the points of commonality between the two countries as well as the sectors and areas that the Islamic Republic should not enter into. In order to expand the relationship with Georgia with the least obstacles and tension, it will be planned and examined. /strong>
Georgia, both geographically and culturally, is the focal point and crossroads between 3 great historical empires, Safavid Iran, Ottoman Turkey and Russia. The tsars and later the Soviet Union each ruled the land in some way.
Modern Georgia is increasingly the focus of attention from Western Europe, the United States, and China, as the country redoubles its efforts. It is pursuing to become a member of the European Union, something that Russia has long resisted.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the West gradually realized the strategic importance of Georgia and the region. Caucasus realized. Georgia and the South Caucasus, which in the past were considered as Russia’s backyard, have now become a region of strategic and geopolitical importance for the West.
The Caucasus region is rich in natural resources and the West connects to the hydrocarbon reserves of the Caspian Sea. According to BP estimates, the Caspian region has 48 billion barrels of oil and 449 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
Caucasus is a very important energy corridor. Alternative routes for oil and gas exports pass through this region, which reduces Europe’s dependence on Russian hydrocarbon resources. Therefore, the West is interested in strengthening its presence in this region.
Although Georgia does not have significant oil and gas reserves, it still plays a very important role in the export of hydrocarbon resources to the West. Georgia is a necessary and strategic bridge to connect Europe to Central Asia and China. Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia is a bridge that connects several important global economic regions. The shortest route from Europe to China passes through Georgia, and the “Silk Road” trade has always passed through the Caucasus region.
Georgia’s importance as a key energy transfer country became apparent after the collapse of the Soviet Union. . In the past years, the West began to build new oil and gas pipelines in the Caucasus to reduce its energy dependence on Middle Eastern Arab countries and diversify its energy supply routes.
Oil and gas pipelines have significantly increased Georgia’s strategic importance.
Georgia is a key transit route for hydrocarbon exports from the landlocked region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline pass through Georgia, which transport the hydrocarbons of the Caspian Sea to the markets of Turkey and Europe.
In addition The Trans-Anatolian and Nabucco gas pipeline projects strengthen Georgia’s position as an energy transit region and emphasize Georgia’s key role in diversifying energy supply routes.
Geographically, Georgia is located in the region overlooking the North Caucasus mountains. It is bordered by Russia in the north and northwest, Azerbaijan in the southeast, Armenia in the south, and Turkey in the southwest.
This country has characteristics such as ethnic diversity, national and ethnic characteristics and spirits, and currently has a population of nearly four million people, who are of different ethnicities, including Georgian, Russian, Azerbaijani and Armenian is formed.
The location of this country in the corridor connecting the South Caucasus to the Black Sea and its neighborhood with critical areas such as Karabagh are other special aspects of this country. Another important aspect of Georgia’s geopolitics is the possibility of this country influencing Russia’s strategic depth to Especially in the very sensitive area located in the southwest of the Russian Federation.
Given that Georgia is located in the region north of the North Caucasus mountain range, any change in Georgia’s situation will directly affect Russia’s strategic depth.
Georgia’s aristocracy on the shores of the Black Sea and possessing important ports such as Supsa (an important port for exporting oil and gas) and Poti (with the ability to transit goods and even oil and gas) are among the characteristics compared to other countries in the Black Sea region and Europe. It is the geopolitics of this country.
| publisher | Tasnim News |
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