A comparative analysis of Georgia’s European integration policy during the presidency of M. Saakashvili and after the change of power October 1, 2012

• Main Author: Davit Sukhiashvili
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ukrainian Center for Cultural Studies 2019-05-01
• Series: Cхід
• Subjects: Georgia; Foreign Policy of Georgia; European integration of Georgia
• Online Access: http://skhid.kubg.edu.ua/article/view/165738
• ISSN: 1728-9343; 2411-3093

The article analysis foreign policy of Georgia towards EU integration since 2003. Georgia's EU integration policy was activated after the "Rose Revolution". New President of Georgia M. Saakashvili enjoyed strong support of the West, but Russia-Georgia war in 2008, unsuccessful reforms, high level of unemployment made his policy unpopular within Georgians and in October 2012, people voted against the ruling party. Defeat in parliamentary elections was a negative turning point for Saakashvili and his supporters. They started discreditation of the new coalition government policy (especially foreign policy) claiming that aim of Georgia's foreign policy is not European and Euro-Atlantic integration anymore, that representatives of the new government are agents of the Kremlin. An analysis of Georgia’s foreign policy in the context of EU integration shows that the priorities of Georgia’s foreign policy are unchanged. The goal of Georgia’s foreign policy is membership of the EU.