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“It is the strong will of the citizens of Georgia to establish democratic order, economic freedom, a social state governed by the rule of law, to ensure universal human rights and freedoms and to strengthen state independence and peaceful co-existence with other nations…”

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In 1990s, a sensational discovery was made in this tiny country sandwiched between Russia and Turkey - male and female bones, whose age amounted to at least 1.8 million years. The scientists quickly gave these ancient humans their names, Zezva and Mzia, and the title, Homo Georgicus.

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Sakartvelo - the "cradle of wine" and the land of Kartvelians.

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Georgia is located at the Black Sea coast. Neighboring with the Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey;
Geopolitically, it can be classified as falling within Europe, the Middle East, or both.

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Capital  - Tbilisi

Area -  69,700 sq km

Population -   4,933,674 (July 2021 est.)
Official languages - Georgian (nationwide) Abkhazian (Abkhazian Autonomous Republic)
Ethnic groups -  Georgian 86.8%, Azeri 6.3%, Armenian 4.5%, other 2.3% (includes Russian, Ossetian, Yazidi, Ukrainian, Kist, Greek)
Religion - Orthodox (official) 83.4%, Muslim 10.7%, Armenian Apostolic 2.9%, other 1.2 (includes Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Yazidi, Protestant, Jewish), none 0.5%, unspecified/no answer 1.2%

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Motto - "ძალა ერთობაშია"
("Strength is in Unity")

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"თავისუფლება" (Liberty)

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ანრი ჯოხაძე - თავისუფლება (საქართველოს ჰიმნი) / Anri Jokhadze - Tavisufleba ( Saqartvelos Himni)

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The region of present day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D., and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1921 and regained its independence when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.

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The Russo-Georgian War was a war between Georgia, Russia, and the Russian-backed self-proclaimed republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The war took place in August 2008 following a period of worsening relations between Russia and Georgia.

(The film attached is highly recommended).

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President of Georgia (Commander In Chef) - Salome Zurabishvili

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Georgia is a parliamentary republic.  The Parliament of Georgia is a main body defining the direction of the State's national a foreign policy.
The Parliament is chaired by Archil Talakvadze.

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Cabinet of Ministers is the main executive authority chaired by Giorgi Gakharia.

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Georgian judicial system covers the Common Courts (Court of the First Instance, Appellate Court and Supreme Court) Constitutional Court and in specific situation the Military Court.

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Security Policy Objectives

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Occupied Territories and Creeping Occupation

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Occupied Territories and Creeping Occupation

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Approximately 12,560 sq km, or about 18% of Georgia's area, is Russian occupied; the seized area includes all of Abkhazia and the breakaway region of South Ossetia, which consists of the northern part of Shida Kartli, eastern slivers of the Imereti region and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and part of western Mtskheta-Mtianeti.
Moreover, the Russian Federation at its disposal moves so called "borders" into Georgian territory.

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Shortly after Georgia regained independence in 1991, relations with NATO started, when the country joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council in 1992. This forum for dialogue was succeeded in 1997 by the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, which brings together all Allies and partner countries in the Euro-Atlantic area.

Practical bilateral cooperation started when Georgia joined the Partnership for Peace (1994) and deepened after the “Rose Revolution” in 2003, when a new government pushed for more ambitious reforms.

Allies agreed at the 2008 Bucharest Summit that Georgia will become a NATO member, provided it meets all necessary requirements – this decision has since been reconfirmed at successive NATO Summits.

Following the Russia-Georgia crisis in August 2008, the Allies continue to support Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognised borders, and call on Russia to reverse its recognition of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states.

Since 2008, the NATO-Georgia Commission (NGC) provides the framework for close political dialogue and cooperation in support of reform efforts and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Preparations for eventual membership are taken forward through the development and implementation of successive Annual National Programmes. In July 2018, Heads of State and Government met with Georgia and adopted a Declaration which marked the NGC’s tenth anniversary.

At the Wales Summit in September 2014, a substantial package of measures was launched to strengthen Georgia’s ability to defend itself and advance its preparations for membership. Further steps to help strengthen defence capabilities were taken at the NATO Summits in Warsaw in 2016 and in Brussels in 2018. A refreshed Substantial NATO-Georgia Package with new timelines and updated ambitions is expected to be adopted before the end of 2020.

A NATO Liaison Office was established in Georgia in 2010 to support the country’s reform efforts and its programme of cooperation with NATO.

Georgia provides valued support for NATO-led operations, in particular in Afghanistan.

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The European Union and Georgia’s close relationship is based on the EU Georgia Association Agreement including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), which entered into force in July 2016 and strives for political association and economic integration. Through its firm support for Georgia’s territorial independence within its internationally recognised borders, its political dialogue, cooperation and assistance programmes, the EU remains committed to supporting a strong, independent and prosperous Georgia

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Tools used to achieve the strategic objectives

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Tools used to achieve the strategic objectives

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Georgia is a member state of various International organizations including the United Nations; OSCE; Council of Europe.

On the other side, Georgia is a partner state of NATO and has an Association Agreement with EU.
In addition, Georgian soldiers are actively participating in peacekeeping missions under the auspice of the UN, NATO and EU.
In line with Association Agreement with the EU and desire of being the part of Euro-Atlantic community, Georgia continues building and strengthening the democratic institutions.

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In 2008 Georgia brought the case against Russia to the International Court of Justice, regarding the Russia's actions on Georgian territories during the Russo-Georgian war;
In 2008 Georgia filled application to the European Court of Human Rights on violation of the ECHR by the Russia during the Russo-Georgian war and afterwards;
Georgia closely cooperates with the International Criminal Court in order to investigate the international crimes committed during Russo-Georgian war.

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Strength
Strategic location on the verge of Europe and Asia with 310 km length sea coast
Weakness
Not having a clear policy on how to use the sea resources
Opportunity
Usage the Strategic geographical position between Central Asia, Russia, Europe and Turkey and being the transfer corridor of various goods
Challenge
Tensions in the region

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Strength
Agricultural, mineral, hydroelectric (almost self-sufficient in electricity) and tourism potential
Weakness
Low economic diversification, lack of industrial tradition (8.5% of GDP) and low productivity in agriculture (7%), which makes up 50% of the workforce; Underdeveloped regional connectivity and transport infrastructure hamper tourism and transit
Opportunity
Association with Euro-Atlantic community
Challenge
Poor governance

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Strength
Ensured freedom of expression
Weakness
Blurred political agenda and priorities
Opportunity
Being a full-fledged European state
Challenge
Permanent tensions among political parties

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Strength
Active participation in peacekeeping missions and training of soldiers
Weakness
Occupation, creeping occupation, tensions in the Caucasus Region
Opportunity
Became the NATO member state
Challenge
Russia's policy (occupation, cyberattacks, sanctions, embargo, etc.)

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Strength
Active cooperation with international organizations
Weakness
Poor governance (signs of corruption, politicized court system)
Opportunity
Strengthening existing policy through cooperation with respective international organizations and partner states
Challenge
Signs of radicalization, persons travelling to Syria, persons convicted for terrorism-related crimes

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Clearly specific policy regarding the Russian federation is necessary

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Regaining the territorial integrity should be based mainly on strengthened socio-economic measures and inclusion/integration policy of the population in occupied territories.

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The building and strengthening of democratic institutions must be continued in close cooperation with international partners

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State policy should be human-centered and the national context should be taken into consideration while implementing the policies in all aspects including economic, health care , education, etc.

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The Georgian language is one of the oldest in the world. Over time Georgian script has evolved from its original form and has undergone three stages – Asomtavruli, Nuskhakhutsuri, and Mkhedruli.

Hello (Gamarjoba) in Georgian means victory :)

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Voyager's Golden Record - Tchakrulo - Choir - Georgia

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The honey samples discovered in the village of Sakire, Borjomi (Southern Georgia) are believed to be made by the bees that buzzed in Georgia 5,500 years ago. The 5,500-year-old honey samples are 2000-year older than the samples of Egyptian honey that were considered to be the oldest.

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A supra is a traditional Georgian feast and a part of Georgian social culture. There are two types of supra: a festive supra, called a keipi, and a sombre supra , called a kelekhi, that is always held after burials.

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The main Priorities of Georgia's Security Strategy 

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The main Priorities of Georgia's Security Strategy 

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1. Ending the occupation;
2.   Relations with the Russian Federation;
3.  Development of state institutions and strengthening of democracy;
4.  Implementation of the Engagement Policy;
5.  Development of the defense and security system of Georgia;
6.  Integration into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union;
7.  Cooperation in the South Caucasus;
8.  Strengthening foreign relationships;
9.  Fight against international terrorism and transnational organized crime;
10.  Economic security policy;
11.  Energy security policy;
12.  Education policy;
13.  Social security and healthcare policy;
14.  Cyber security policy;
15.  Environmental Security Policy;
16.  Demographic policy.

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Civil initiative against Russia's Actions

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Civil initiative against Russia's Actions

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In response to the Russia's ban on flights towards Georgia in 2019 the civil initiative #SpendyoursummerinGeorgia has emerged and within weeks covered the whole social media.
Then it became #SpendfourseasonsinGeorgia. You can see the respective pages on Facebook or Instagram and #SpendyoursummerinGeorgia :))