{Info-Prim Neo interview with Avtandil Mikatsadze, Charge d'Affaires of Georgia in the Republic of Moldova, from the series “For 21 Years Independent. About us, the former Soviet states”. ORIGINALLY published on 3 August 2012 } ****** {The news agency Info-Prim Neo today is launching the series “For 21 Years Independent. About us, the former Soviet states”. It was intended to include interviews with representatives of diplomatic missions from all the former Soviet states. This series primarily aims to assess the progress made by our country since Independence, in particular against the experience of other countries which had approximately the same starting line, as well as to discuss the relations between our countries and peoples over these years. Regretfully, we will not be able to publish interviews with representatives from all the former Soviet states, partly because some of the embassies refused openly to answer our questions; partly, we hope, because some of our interviewees haven't yet managed to provide their answers; and partly because we haven't managed to establish contacts, perhaps, due to the holiday period. Despite or, maybe, due to this, we consider the goal of this rubric achieved.} ****** [ - When independence was proclaimed, did your country have the same starting line as Moldova on the track towards modernization, development and renewal? How close or far away are we now from each other?] - Indeed, the starting lines for both Moldova and Georgia following the collapse of the Soviet Union were almost identical. Two decades have passed since. Over this period, our countries have gone through quite complicated times. Both Moldova and Georgia saw real wars emerge for their territorial integrity, which were instigated from outside, economic depression in the late 1990s, sociopolitical woes, as well as ongoing occupation. Today our two former Soviet states have set their feet firmly on the path of modernization and renewal. This includes, first of all, seeking a solution to such a major and pressing issue that exists in all former Soviet republics like corruption. For example, in Georgia, the police are no longer taking bribes. It takes a citizen just 5-10 minutes to register a car or other property with the authorities or to obtain a passport. It is a well-known fact that in recent years the global anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International has ranked Georgia among the leaders in curbing corruption. Many ask themselves: what happened with Georgia after the 2004 Rose Revolution, when the country embarked on the path of reform? How have they made it? When we usually talk about a country which has civilized rules, where the state works to the benefit of the citizen, and where the police is not be feared, we imagine a country like the United States or a European nation. We imagine it as something that is far away and definitely not our case. It is also often considered that in the former Soviet states there is a totally distinct mentality, an entirely different culture. But Georgia's example has demonstrated that Moldova, with which we share common cultural and historical traits, can also achieve such civilized rules, and in a short period of time, too. It has demonstrated that in five years a country's life can improve dramatically. Georgia has implemented over 70 reforms. The most widely known is perhaps the police reform. Expressed in numbers, it can be described as follows: in 2011 the confidence level in the Georgian police stood at a striking 87%, occupying the third place among state and public institutions after the church and the army. To compare: in 2005, the confidence level enjoyed by the police was a lowly 5%. It should be noted here that since the reform's start and thenceforth the confidence level in the police has never dropped below 70%. But how did the reform occur technically? In one day alone, in August 2004, roughly 15,000 police and traffic police officers were fired. For two months, there wasn't any agency to supervise traffic safety in the country, yet that didn't lead to an increase in the number of accidents. This meant that the road inspectorate as an institution was actually ineffective and didn't improve to any extent the situation on the roads. To fire 15,000 police officers in one single day was quite painful for a small country with a population of 5 million people. Besides those fired, the measure naturally affected their families, and their friends also shared their discontent. Thus, an entire group of discontented people emerged, and the level of confidence was expected to drop. However, as a result of this radical measure, an entirely renewed police was created, and the people's attitude towards the political leadership of Georgia changed. It should be mentioned, nevertheless, that this success came at quite a heavy cost. The police reform is rightfully considered to be a Georgian hallmark. It has been a painful yet necessary measure, if we want to put an end to corruption. As concerns the extent to which we are close, both Moldova and Georgia share European integration aspirations. Both Moldova and Georgia already achieved certain successes on this path. [ - What did your country do wright and what went wrong on this path of independent development, perhaps compared to Moldova?] - Our country made several mistakes on the path towards independence. Until 2003, Georgia was a typical “failed state”. Bureaucracy was throttling any initiative in society. The country was living in dire poverty, the infrastructure was underdeveloped, and the economy was plagued by rampant corruption. As you know, the peaceful national “Rose Revolution” brought a team of young reformers to power. At that time, the situation in Georgia was so bad that we had to start building our state anew. Moreover, in the early 1990s a number of parties and political hacks with criminal past mired the country into a fratricidal civil war. [ - After proclaiming independence, did you country find itself facing a choice between different geopolitical orientations, in particular East or West, like the one faced by Moldova? What were the reasons behind your choice?] - Our country didn't choose its external vector immediately after proclaiming independence. The internal situation made this impossible. But as soon as the situation stabilized, it has become clear that our state sees its future only within the common European family. What was it that made us choose the West? Above all, it was the kinship in terms of civilization and culture with the European countries. In the Middle Ages, Georgia was an outpost of Christianity in the Near East. We could say that our country gradually restores this position and becomes a full-fledged member of the European family of nations. Georgia regards accession to the Euro-Atlantic institutions as the only way to guarantee its security. While the EU acknowledged Georgia's European option, its membership is now only a prospect. However, this doesn't stop Georgia and we think that, step by step, by consolidating relations in different areas, we will eventually become a EU member. At this stage, to Georgia is is very important to properly conduct parliamentary elections in the fall of 2012 and presidential elections in 2013. [ - What does your country think of the choice made by Moldova to opt for European integration?] - Considering the above, our country has only words of commendation for Moldova's European integration option. History has given Moldova and Georgia a chance to return into Europe and this chance must not be missed. Georgia can only but be happy about the achievements of its closest partner. [ - What notion would best define the relationship between our countries at this stage? For example, when speaking about relationships with other countries in different contexts, Moldovan politicians frequently use such notions as strategic partnership, close relationship, pragmatic relationship etc.] - At this stage, our relationship can be described as quite productive and mutually beneficial. This implies strategic partnership within GUAM, pragmatism, and very close relations, a fact which was convincingly demonstrated during Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat's visit to Georgia in July. Further contributing to the positive development of our relationship is the common historical ties. We also have similar goals for the future: restore the territorial integrity of our countries and build free and democratic states where respect for human rights and general human values are top priorities. [Valeriu Vasilică, Info-Prim Neo]