Georgia–United Kingdom relations
Georgia |
United Kingdom |
---|---|
Diplomatic mission | |
Ambassador Sophie Katsarava | Ambassador Mark Clayton |
Formal diplomatic relations between
In the present day, Georgia-UK relations remain very cordial and the two countries cooperate closely in a manner similar to the
In 2014, UK and Georgia inaugurated Wardrop strategic dialogue, a format of annual meetings to promote their biletial co-operation in security, defense policy, economy and trade.[4][5] Both nations are members of the Council of Europe.
History
Britain recognized the
"Of the three republics, Georgia is in much the best position. Her territory has escaped the ravages of war, while her people, who prided themselves, even under the old Russian regime, on the European origin of their civilisation, have the advantage over their neighbours in ability and culture. Internal order appears to be well maintained, and the sporadic outburst of Bolshevism which recur at intervals are put down without difficulty and with commendable firmness."
—Lord Curzon
British military presence in Georgia had to come to an end in 1920 because of neutrality clauses in the Treaty of Moscow, in which Russia recognized Georgia's independence in exchange for Georgia not hosting forces hostile to Russia's interests.[9] Now that there were no Western powers in Georgia, in February 1921 the Bolshevik Red Army proceeded to invade the country, leading to Georgia's defeat and collapse by March of that year. Even after Soviet takeover, Britain - along with France, Belgium, and Poland - continued to recognize only the Georgian government; this lasted until the 1930s, when growing Soviet power and political processes in Europe made it impractical to do so indefinitely.[10]
In April 1987, Margaret Thatcher, the British prime minister, made an official
Following the restoration of Georgian independence in 1991, official diplomatic relations between Georgia and the UK were re-established in 1992, and a full UK embassy opened in Tbilisi three years later.
Economic relations
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) based in the UK plays an important role in the development of the Georgian economy. The UK is one of the largest investors in Georgia. In 2017, it was third on the list with direct investments, having invested a total of $250 million that year.[22] The twin cities of Tbilisi and Bristol, Newport and Kutaisi have affected the impact tourism has, with there being a 40% increase in British tourists to Georgia in 2017.[23] Former British Army officer and former Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament Geoffrey Van Orden said that in terms of economic relations, Georgia was one of the "first of our friends to back post-Brexit Britain and seek a close future partnership".[24]
Trade Agreements
From 1 September 2013 until 30 December 2020, trade between Georgia and the UK was governed by the Georgia–European Union Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, while the United Kingdom was a member of the European Union.[25] Following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, the UK and Georgia signed a continuity trade agreement on 21 October 2019, based on the EU free trade agreement; the agreement entered into force on 1 January 2021.[26] It was the first continuity trade agreement signed between the United Kingdom and an Eastern European country.[27] Trade value between Georgia and the United Kingdom was worth £457 million in 2022.[28]
Defense and security relations
Britain has a history of working with the
In March 2016, parallel to British troops participating in multilateral exercises in Georgia, the British Armed Forces announced the creation of additional defence attaché posts in Georgia.[31]
In 2018, Georgia sided with UK's diplomatic efforts against Russia in response to the Salisbury chemical attack by Russian intelligence services and also supported UK initiatives for strengthening the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).[32] Because Georgia and Russia had already severed diplomatic relations in 2008, and officially there were no longer any Russian diplomats present in Georgia, in show of support for the UK, Georgia expelled a Russian official operating in the country under the nominal auspices of Switzerland.[33]
In February 2020, UK's National Cyber Security Centre, operating under the aegis of GCHQ, helped expose Russian Military Intelligence hacking activities directed against Georgia. The British government noted that Russia "conducted these cyber-attacks in an attempt to undermine Georgia’s sovereignty, to sow discord and disrupt the lives of ordinary Georgian people. The UK remains unwavering in its support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity"[34]
At the
Commonwealth War Graves
There is a British Military Cemetery in Batumi, Georgia, where 68 Britons are buried.[39] There is a small memorial listing the names of the deceased. It gets periodic visits from the UK, including the Royal Navy.[40]
Resident diplomatic missions
See also
References
- ^ Batumi: Travails of the City, Civil Georgia, 07/07/2020
- ^ "UK condemns Russia's GRU over Georgia cyber-attacks: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab calls out Russia's campaign of unacceptable cyber-attacks against Georgia", Government of the United Kingdom, February 2020
- ^ UK/Georgia: Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement [CS Georgia No.1/2019, Government of the United Kingdom, 4 November 2019
- ^ "Tbilisi's turn to host Georgia-UK Wardrop Dialogue". 2015-04-30. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
- ^ "Eighth Strategic Dialogue between Georgia, UK". civil.ge. 2023-01-17. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
- S2CID 163813619.
- ^ "British Ambassador on the Long History of Georgia-UK Relations".
- Lord Curzon, Foreign Office: December 24, 1919 Cabinet Papers 336
- ISBN 978-1-78-023030-6
- ^ Stefan Talmon (1998), Recognition of Governments in International Law, p. 289-290. Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-826573-5.
- ^ "British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, leaving behind the serious".
- ^ "Margaret Thatcher's visit to Tbilisi in 1987".
- ^ "Crowds Warm up on Her Last Day : Thatcher Welcomed on Soviet Georgia Visit". Los Angeles Times. 2 April 1987.
- ^ "Thatcher Visits Georgia on Last Day in Soviet Union". Associated Press.
- ^ "Speech at official dinner in Georgia | Margaret Thatcher Foundation".
- ^ "UK in Georgia, Our Embassy". British Embassy Tbilisi. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
- ^ "Foreign Secretary deplores continued fighting in Georgia (09/08/2008)". Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Archived from the original on 2008-08-28.
- ^ "Anti-Russian protest by pro-Georgians outside London embassy". The Telegraph. 10 August 2008.
- ^ "Working Visit of the Prime Minister of Georgia to Great Britain".
- ^ "Ex-British Prime Minister Tony Blair visits Georgia".
- ^ "Former British Prime Minister to Visit Georgia".
- ^ "Ambassador Beruchashvili on Georgia-UK Trade Relations 2018".
- ^ "Georgia in the UK". 13 November 2017.
- ^ "Ex-senior British military officer: 'process of Georgia's joining NATO is in fact well underway'".
- ^ "EU - Georgia". World Trade Organization. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ "Georgia ratifies free trade agreement with UK". Trend News Agency. 10 February 2020. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ Truss, Elizabeth (21 October 2019). "UK and Georgia sign trade continuity and strategic cooperation agreement". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 18 January 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2024.UK–Georgia FTA
- ^ "UK trade agreements in effect". GOV.UK. 3 November 2022. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ Rice says Britain has plan for Georgia NATO bid, Reuters, November 27, 2008 "...gave no details about the British proposal but Britain, supportive overall of NATO membership for Georgia and Ukraine, has indicated there is no need to stick rigidly to the formal process being suggested by Washington."
- ^ Georgia, Ukraine Set for Disappointment at NATO Meeting, Deutsche Welle, 01.12.2008 "that question also looks set to be divisive, with the skeptics of Georgian and Ukrainian NATO membership fearing that the US and Britain were attempting to bring the duo closer to membership without following the formal MAP procedure."
- ^ "UK and Georgia strengthen defence relationship".
- ^ "UK condemns Russia's GRU over Georgia cyber-attacks", Government of the United Kingdom, February 2020: "The UK was particularly grateful for Georgia’s firm support following the attack on Salisbury in 2018, including in efforts to strengthen the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)."
- ^ "Georgia expels one Russian diplomat over UK nerve agent attack". Reuters. 30 March 2018.
- ^ "UK condemns Russia's GRU over Georgia cyber-attacks: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab calls out Russia's campaign of unacceptable cyber-attacks against Georgia", Government of the United Kingdom, February 2020
- ^ British Embassy, Tbilisi: "HMS Dragon is in #Batumi #Georgia as a clear demonstration of enduring strong partnership between the #UK & Georgia that is built on mutual interests and shared values." Oct 15, 2020
- ^ British naval destroyer that angered Russia docks in Georgia, Reuters, June 26, 2021
- ^ British naval destroyer that angered Russia docks in Georgia, Reuters, June 26, 2021
- ^ New UK support to protect Georgia against Russian cyber attacks, Prime Minister's Office. Published: 29 June 2022
- ^ BATUMI BRITISH MILITARY CEMETERY, Commonwealth War Graves, 2021
- ^ HMS Echo visits wall of honour in Georgia, Royal Navy, 03 January 2019