BREAKING: Georgia Needs to Address Oligarchic Influence

The EU Ambassador to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski, recently spoke at an event where he strongly stressed the importance of improving the perception of Georgia among EU Member States and institutions. He said more positive and constructive news from Georgia was necessary to enhance the country's image and steps toward the EU. One of the main items he highlighted was the Oligarchization of Georgian national interests and politics.

Specifically, he said, "We expect Georgia to tackle the issue of the excessive influence of vested interests (Oligarchs) upon political and public life."

In his speech, he stressed the importance of creating a positive atmosphere of cooperation and mutual understanding by implementing the 12 priorities outlined by the EU for Georgia. Which items, he said, would improve the reputation of the nation among partner states. However, one of his main concerns was the importance of de-oligarchization. In particular, he cited concerns the Venice Commission raised.

His recommendations were to approach de-oligarchization through accountability and transparency in state institutions, extending to both election and political campaign finance, judicial reform, and media freedom. In response, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili only commented that the meeting was to discuss relations between the EU and Georgia. Yet Garibashvili did not provide further detail or comment.

Yet, the power and influence of Georgian and Russian oligarchs can be seen across the country. No part of Georgian society remains untainted by Oligarchal corruption. This level of corruption raises numerous security concerns. Chief among these concerns is the close association between such influence and the associated points of failure it creates for Georgia's national and regional security apparatus. By openly allowing foreign powers to so easily target interlinked and often codependent individuals, external parties hostile to Georgia can focus their resources on a limited and known number of targets.

Less expenditure of resources by hostile foreign powers, most notably Russia, means greater availability of options to directly and indirectly target the security apparatus of Georgia. Increased ease of execution makes it exponentially more difficult for those individuals and institutions tasked with protecting national security to perform their jobs. The result is a less secure nation and a more uncertain future for the entire region.

Source: TV Formula