The FINANCIAL — Georgia needs to continue to focus to its homework in line with EU and NATO integration in order not to lose the opportunity to join one day with these unions, the Estonian Ambassador to Georgia and Armenia has said. He sees that Estonia is a very committed partner with very practical help to support Georgia’s reforms and EU and NATO aspirations. The Ambassador considers Estonia to be Georgia’s possible partner in helping to get Georgian products into EU markets.
Against the background of this turbulent geopolitical situation, the Ambassador suggested that relying solely on one’s allies is not sufficient. He considers it crucial to build one’s own resilience and capacities.
“The crucial thing Georgia or Estonia should do in such a situation is to build up our internal resilience, to have a more stable government system, to increase our defence capacity, invite more European investments. As a small country we cannot do much to influence the global situation. However, we can be better prepared. Having strong allies is extremely important but it does not mean ignoring the building of one’s own capacities. And it is not only about defence. It includes economic resilience, a free and integrated society without excluded groups. So, this is what the country can do itself,” Priit Turk, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Estonia to Georgia, told The FINANCIAL.
Q. What is one of the most challenging aspects of your job that you have faced in Georgia and also in Armenia?
A. I have been in Georgia for three years and it has been an extremely interesting time in every aspect. With Georgia our bilateral relations are very extensive. We have cooperation projects in almost every field – with the focus of supporting your European association agenda. I wish I had more time to focus on all of them. I see more potential for cooperation than we can manage at the moment. One challenge is covering two countries and finding the time for both. As for Armenia we know that in a way these two countries have chosen different paths. So, it is a different level of engagement. In Armenia we also have projects and are supporting their cooperation with Europe as well. Whatever Armenia’s choice has been, we continue to building up cooperation. They are also very eager to do that and learn from our experience, like in e-governance. In this regard, Armenia is progressing very fast, like Georgia.
Q. Estonia is known for its technology sector and also how much internet connectivity it has – what kind of internet policies has Estonia adopted that you think Georgia should also adopt in order to promote the technology sector here?
A. A few things that Estonia did in this field have been instrumental for our development. The first thing was that innovation and IT became prioritized by the Government. That also materialised in huge investments in education. Already in 1996 as an initiative of current president of Estonia T.H.Ilves, we had a project ‘Tiger Leap’, with the aim to connect every school to the internet; every kid was educated in how to use computers and the internet. This was later extended to everyone, including older generations. Workshops were actively arranged teaching how to use this technology. Currently at schools in Estonia we have a next generation programme called “Proge Tiger” which teaches pupils starting from 1st grade to write computer codes and programmes. We believe that this is the future language for our children. The second thing was our clear understanding that as a small country with scarce resources to achieve European standards we need to have much more efficient government systems and bureaucracy. Applying technology was the only solution. The cooperation between the government and the private sector played a huge role here. Various leading banks and telecom companies joined hands with the government in order to start implementing IT services. For example, for now with our ID card, it is possible to use more than 4,000 e-services. The key was user-friendliness of services. That’s why people started using it. It saved time and money and the ‘e-spirit’ spread among our citizens. During our last parliamentary elections this March, one third of the voters voted via the internet – including myself from my home in Tbilisi. The success story of Skype, which was co-invented by Estonians, played a big role as well. This precedent gave confidence to Estonian people that regardless of the size of your country one can create something for global market. It is no longer about the size of the country, it is all about ideas. Now Estonia produces most innovative start-up companies per capita in Europe.
Also for Georgia education is the key. In Georgia with support of Estonia there was a project ‘Deer Leap’ for schools, to connect all the schools to the internet. At this stage in Georgia I think the private sector and the government should cooperate more when developing e-services and supporting innovation. It will bring economic benefits to the country. Actually Georgia has developed many impressive e-services – like e-declaration or e-tenders. The challenge seems to be the more active usage of the services. It’s also about encouraging more young people into innovation and into business. We just finishing a bilateral development project “Start-up Georgia” with participation of 23 universities from all over Georgia to train young students how to create their own start-up businesses – such a brilliant ideas and great energy came out of this student competition.
Q. How can the two countries tighten their economic relations?
A. One option is that we could be your partners in helping to get your products into EU market. Producing together and selling into EU markets. First of course the Georgian production standards need to be raised to the EU level. Again we can and do share our practical experience with your producers. Just this week there is another group of Georgia’s agricultural producers in Estonia to learn from Estonian counterparts how to apply to the EU standards.
Q. The historical experience of Estonia has always been: “When is the next invader coming to take over our country?” The way for you to get ahead and see freedom preserved and protected was to join all of the western clubs that you could possible join – NATO, the EU. Your history looks very similar to Georgia’s. Meanwhile we are not yet full members of the EU or NATO. What are we doing wrong?
A. I would not say that Georgia is doing something wrong. It is probably that Estonia started earlier with a very clear commitment. It was our national goal. Since our independence in 1991 we all realized that whatever it takes, we need to integrate with the West. The reforms in implementing the AA that we had at that time with the EU were tough, but we realised that it was the only way to integrate and to transform our country and governance. Meanwhile, Georgia had more difficult times internally at the time, including the civil war. In addition, we were closer to European Union geographically. So, currently Georgia is on the same path that we were. It is just a matter of time until Georgia succeeds as well. The key issue is to keep a common goal among the population, business communities and political parties to move in this direction. I would recommend listening your partners in the EU and NATO very carefully their advice and sometimes even critics could help your move quicker. Sometimes it might feel that some of it is even unfair, but it is really about preparing Georgia for moving forward. For joining of course one has to take into account the political environment in the EU regarding the enlargement of this organization. It needs political consensus. Europe at the moment is not in this position. But the main task for Georgia is preparing itself and whenever the opportunity comes, you will be able to grab it.
At the moment Georgia is not yet ready for this opportunity. However, you have a work plan, the AA, which you have to prove that you can implement. And you get increasing financial support for that. At the moment Georgia needs to focus on its homework and I think government is doing that.
Same applies to NATO. We do not yet know when, but one day there will be again the further expansion of NATO. In such an event it would be crucial for Georgia to be internally ready and not lose this opportunity.
Q. The latest news regarding Estonia is that the country is staging the biggest military exercise in the country’s history amid fears of Russian ‘aggression’. Is this preparation for WW3?
A. After the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine the security situation in Europe has changed. All Europe feels more insecure. However, these military exercises were planned well in advance, long before the beginning of the Ukraine crisis. Estonian government always believed that one have to invest in your our defence capacity and as one of the few NATO member states allocates 2% of GDP to defence. So, these exercises would have happened with or without the Ukrainian crisis. We do not know what President Putin is really up to. What seems to be clear that what happened in Georgia in 2008 and the ensuing condemnation of Russia’s actions was not enough, which is the reason for what we are now experiencing with the annexation of the Crimea and the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. So, from the Western side we have to be very clear and consistent, that what happened is not acceptable. Estonia is a member of the strongest military ally in the world. Accordingly we do not feel an immediate sense of threat. However, as the security situation in the Europe has changed, we are working with our partners to stay firm on Russian actions.
Q. Estonia has been called one of the “Baltic Tigers” along with Lithuania and Latvia, and you had tremendous growth after the break-up of the Soviet Union. Now with the rise of the BRIC countries (excluding Russia) and Asian Tigers, with their growing economic power, are the Baltic countries making great strides in this century as well?
A. In the early ‘90s, compared to Western Europe, the difference in our economic output was so huge that we could with right policies to have easier the double digit economic growth. However, we have to continue to be ambitious also today. Estonia has believed in a liberal economy with low taxes, and that has been benefiting us hugely in getting investments. But its important to continue to find new ways to attract investments. One is definitely focusing on innovation and IT, an open digital economy. Also for the EU the common digital market could bring enormous economic benefits. Here Estonia sees lots of potential for the EU to grow. And governments have to keep up with the speed of innovation. Estonian government just recently introduced a “state start-up” initiative – e-residency – offering foreigners without being physically in Estonia still being able to use Estonian digital services like digital signature etc. I see in e-residency also potential to enhance Estonian-Georgian economic cooperation.
Q. There are a number of Russians living within Estonia, and they have wide-ranging political rights depending on whether they are citizens of Estonia, citizens of Russia, or of unidentified citizenry. How is Estonia dealing with this issue?
A. Since our re-independence, it has been acknowledged challenge to integrate Russian speaking community and I believe we have managed to integrate everyone relatively well into our society. For everyone the opportunities have grown and even further after joining the EU.
Q. Russia’s propaganda war in Georgia is actively at work. Don’t you think that we are not sufficiently estimating the problem?
A. Increase of Russian soft power is an issue everywhere. In every European country we have to be aware that Russia is using different tools to change people’s mindset. I do believe that the majority of Georgians are pro-European. However, attempts are being made here as well. What I see is not so massive. However it is important to acknowledge that such activities are underway. So the Government especially has to be aware of what is going on.
In order to stand against this, Georgia has to build a stronger society. Also more open discussions about the benefits of the EU and the Western course should take place. Georgia should not leave room for manipulations. For example there are some critical arguments being used against the EU playing purely on people’s emotions and with no relation to truth. To avoid it more substantive discussion should take place in the society about the EU. And media has a huge role to play here.
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