Foreign Relations of the Republic of Georgia by Levan Urushadze
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The location of the Republic of Georgia, nestled between the Black Sea, Russia, and Turkey, gives it strategic importance far beyond its size. It is developing as the gateway from the Black Sea to the Caucasus and the larger Caspian region, but also serves as a buffer between Russia and Turkey. Georgia has a long and close relationship with Russia, but it is reaching out to its other neighbors and looking to the West in search of alternatives and opportunities. It signed a partnership and cooperation agreement with the European Union, participates in the Partnership for Peace, and encourages foreign investment. France, Germany, the U.K., the USA, the Netherlands, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Greece, Israel and other countries have Embassies in Tbilisi. The USA, Germany, France are a significant donors also.
Georgia is a member of the United Nations, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States and other International Organizations.
The American government has interests in an oil pipeline passing through the country. The new President of the Republic of Georgia, Dr. Mikheil Saakashvili is much closer to the United States.
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia
