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The role of economic factors in confict resolution in Georgia and the Caucasus
Gomelauri, Tebrone |
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| Real and sustained economic progress is urgently required in the regions of Georgia and the Caucasus if political, social and ethical tensions are to be abated. Historically the region has always been an explosive mixture of different cultures, ethnic minorities and border disputes. These centuries old tensions resurfaced after the collapse of the Soviet dominance of the region and some ‘bloody’ wars followed resulting in severe loss of life and a devastating decline in economic performance. Some of the major conflicts in the region are analyzed and the reasons behind them, usually political, ethnic and/or territorial disputes. Abkhazia, South Ossetia are two such regions in particular. The role of the World Bank is of critical importance in the post war reconstruction of the Caucuses and the report shows the bank lending to Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan to date. The EU supports two big cooperative programs , TRACECA and INOGATE which act as catalysts to attract the support of financial institutions and individuals by investing in the Caucuses. The author expresses concern that not enough is being done to expedite the conversion of the region into a successful Western style democratic, economic and stable society. |
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