Dlhá cesta Gruzínska smerom k Európe Prečítať

THE LONG WAY OF GEORGIA TO EUROPE

Marine Vekua – Ramaz Lominadze

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Politické vedy, Volume 20, Number 4/2017, pages 134-152

Odporúčaná forma citácie článku / Recommended form for quotation ofthe article:

VEKUA, M. –LOMINADZE, R. 2017. The Long Way of Georgia to Europe. In Politické vedy. [online]. Roč. 20, č. 4, 2017. ISSN 1335–2741, s. 134-152. Dostupné na internete: <http://www.politickevedy.fpvmv.umb.sk/archiv-vydani/2017/4-2017/marine-vekua-ramaz-lominadze.html>.

ABSTRACT

Georgia, a small country located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, has a long history of relations with Europe. In spite of difficulties in negotiations with Russia (first Empire, then Soviet Union) Georgia, since 13th century up to nowadays, single-mindedly has been striving towards the West. Year 2017 constitutes one of the landmark years for Georgia’s European integration. On 28 March, visa free regime between Georgia and the EU came into force. This historical achievement will contribute the enhancement of economic, cultural and social ties between the EU and Georgia. Furthermore, this is a significant political recognition from the EU that Georgia successfully implements complex reforms, ensures development of democratic institutions and sustainability of country’s economy. The aim of the research was to analyse the understanding and interpretation of general human principles during different historical periods in Georgia; trends in development of young democracy in Georgia; attitude of civil society towards priorities for democratic values and issue of identity. The modern methodology was outlined in the research process, specifically: historical, ethnographic, critical discourse, comparative and quantitative research methods. The article includes the introduction, five chapters, conclusions and bibliography. The results of research of social opinion to the issue were mostly positive and gave the strong hope that the process of integration of Georgia into the European Community would be successfully completed. Based on the research we can conclude that in all historical era Georgia recognised: the importance of universal and national values; democratic, already completed and still ongoing, reforms; Georgian society endorses the Western-oriented state foreign policy.

Key words: EU-Georgia, relationships, democracy, cultural values, identity