The US Helsinki Commission proposed a new strategy in the South Caucasus, taking into account the “pivot of Georgian authorities towards Russia and Armenia’s distance from Moscow.”
The recommendations for the South Caucasus region are set out in one of the report’s chapters, “Confronting Russia: Preparing for the Long-Term Russian Threat.”
“Armenia, historically one of Russia’s closest allies, is beginning to distance itself from Moscow. At the same time, Azerbaijan is strengthening ties with Russia, balancing them with long-term relations with Türkiye, which is a member of NATO, as well as the EU. Meanwhile, the Georgian government, the Georgian Dream party, is turning towards Russia and adopting an illiberal orientation, apparently ignoring the pro-European sentiments of its people. “This shift toward a pro-Russian position raises serious concerns.” – says the commission’s publication on the social network X.
In Georgia, the Helsinki Commission calls for “conditional pressure on the authorities, subject to supporting democratic forces and civil society, as well as strengthening ties with the Georgian people.”
With Armenia, the commission suggests, the United States should “increase cooperation, formalize its status as a partner, support normalization of relations with Turkey and peace with Azerbaijan.”
With Baku, the commission proposes to “combine diplomacy and criticism of human rights abuses with economic and other incentives for democratic reform.”
