The international community has saluted the current developments in Armenia-Turkey normalization and the joint statement on Protocols: the “Protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations’ and the ‘Protocol on the development of bilateral relations”. World leaders hailed the process as a historic one: EU, Council of Europe, U.S., France, Russia, Syria, Canada, as well as other countries issued statements. Only Georgia remains silent. Four days have passed since the crucial regional event, but no statement has been made yet either by official Tbilisi or Saakashvili.

Why is Tbilisi holding back emotions and not voicing its official position on the issue? Possibly because the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement, and, as a result, the unblocking of the border, perplex Georgian leaders. The reopening of the Armenian-Turkish border means some geopolitical and economic losses, freight traffic volume will fall and the country will no more hold a dominant transit position in the region.

The Georgian political analyst, head of the Center for Public Policy NGO Gia Khukhulashvili expressed almost the same opinion in the interview with NEWS.am.

“Certainly, the volume of cargo transportation through Georgia to Armenia will fall. Georgia will no longer be a regional transit dominant party. Besides, once the border is opened, Armenia will be less tied to Georgia from the communication point of view too. This may stir separatist moods of ‘hotheads’,” the expert stated.

He stressed that both Armenia and Turkey as well as the whole region will gain if the border is unblocked. It will give impetus to regional projects and to the revival of trade-economic environment. “The Georgian side should understand it and welcome normalization between these two countries,” Khukhulashvili concluded.