[INTERVIEW] As Georgia marks Independence Day, new ambassador vows to bolster ties

Ambassador of Georgia to Korea Tarash Papaskua speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at his embassy in Yongsan District, Seoul, May 22. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Setting his sights on strengthening relations between Korea and Georgia, the new Ambassador of Georgia to Korea Tarash Papaskua unveiled his diplomatic priorities, which include highlighting the human rights issues of Georgian internally displaced persons and strengthening economic and cultural exchanges between the two nations.

"May 26 marks Georgia's Independence Day. At the referendum of March 31, 1991, 99.08 percent of the population provided an unequivocal positive answer to one single question: 'Do you support the restoration of the independence of Georgia in accordance with the Act of Declaration of Independence of Georgia of 26 May 1918?' Based on people's strong will, the Supreme Council unanimously passed the Act of Restoration of State Independence of Georgia," the ambassador told The Korea Times during an interview at his embassy in Seoul, May 22.

He recollected the tumultuous journey Georgia embarked upon post-independence, persisting despite the many obstacles, primarily from the Russian Federation's hybrid warfare and its illegal occupation of 20 percent of Georgian territory.

"Herewith, using the opportunity, I would like to express deep gratitude to the Republic of Korea for its firm support of Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders."

Papaskua is the third resident ambassador of Georgia to Korea, who recently submitted his credentials to President Yoon Suk Yeol on May 12.

He said securing Korea's support for Georgia's annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution recognizing the rights of internally displaced Georgians and highlighting the human rights crisis they face due to Russian occupation is one of his goals as the Georgian ambassador here.

"One specific goal, which is both my professional as well as a personal key priority, not least considering that I am myself an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) from the occupied Abkhazia region of Georgia, is to continue close consultations with the Korean side in order to gain the support of Korea to Georgia's annual UNGA resolution on the 'Status of internally displaced persons and refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, Georgia,'" he said.

"Ever since its initiation at the UNGA by Georgia following the August 2008 war, Korea has been abstaining from supporting this purely humanitarian resolution, which recognizes the fundamental rights of the Georgian IDPs and refugees, including the right to return to the places of their origin, and importantly, draws the international community's attention to the dire human rights situation that ethnic Georgians continue to endure in the face of Russian occupation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions."

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 after years of aggression, Georgia has stood steadfast in supporting Ukraine.

"Georgia has been providing every humanitarian assistance, every support it can afford, politically on international platforms within international organizations. We have supported and aligned with all the resolutions condemning Russia's illegal military aggression against Ukraine," Papaskua said.

"We very much are in solidarity and we share the tragedy and devastation that is currently taking place in Ukraine... Ukraine and Georgia are in the same fight for our territorial integrity and sovereignty. So we are the two countries which are really bearing the brunt of continued Russian occupation and Russian aggression."

He also revealed Georgia's aspiration to become a member of the European Union (EU), a priority for both domestic and foreign policy, underlining the EU-Georgia Association Agreement signed in 2014 and the visa-free regime for Georgians took effect in 2017 as indications of progress.

"In March 2022, Georgia submitted an EU membership application as a concrete response to the longstanding, civilizational choice of the Georgian people. Remarkably, last year the European Council recognized the European Perspective for Georgia, which reaffirmed that my country's future lies in the EU. We are determined to swiftly advance on the EU accession path, and acquiring the candidate status at the end of this year is our next immediate milestone," the ambassador said.

Courtesy of Embassy of Georgia

Bridging Georgia and Korea

"As like-minded states, our countries' shared commitment to common values of peace, freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law provides for a solid foundation for the development of a dynamic and close partnership," the ambassador said.

"I am delighted to note that we have achieved significant progress in our cooperation with South Korea in many areas of mutual interest, including political, economic, people-to-people ties, as well as culture and tourism. However, there still is a tremendous untapped potential in deepening our bilateral ties, especially in trade-economic, cultural, education and people-to-people exchanges in the years to come."

This is Papaskua's first posting in Asia, but he has a rich experience as Head of Department for Trade Development and International Economic Relations at Georgia's Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development and also served as a counselor at the Georgian Embassy in Poland and after that also as a counsellor in Embassy in Austria, which doubled as Georgia's representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and other international organizations.

Papaskua's wide-ranging experience in multilateral diplomacy has equipped him with valuable insights for nurturing economic cooperation globally, including with Korea.

"In my capacity as the Head of Department, I visited Seoul for the 1st meeting of the Georgia-Korea intergovernmental commission on Economic Cooperation in December 2019. This experience is of course helpful, as far as my current activities in your country are concerned," he said.

Georgia values its developing economic ties with South Korea and is currently negotiating two key trade-economic agreements.

"First and foremost, I wish to underline the significance of the timely conclusion of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Georgia and South Korea. The EPA would be more than a Free Trade Agreement, as in addition to a significant liberalization of trade, it envisages the enhancement of cooperation in various fields. The agreement will enable us to introduce more Georgian industrial, as well as high-quality agricultural products to the Korean market at much more competitive prices. As an example, I would just mention the high potential of the Georgian traditional Kvevri wines, which Korean consumers have come to appreciate. I am indeed happy that these quite special wines are gaining popularity in Korea," he said.

Negotiations to finalize the Agreement on Promotion and Protection of Investments are also nearing completion. Georgia, known for its business-friendly environment, is keen on attracting Korean investments by offering tax breaks, subsidized loans, cashback programs and unique tax incentives for IT businesses.

"Georgia could serve as the best gateway for the Korean companies in the region, taking into account its favorable geographic location and the range of interesting value propositions I mentioned. Moreover, Georgia can serve the Korean companies needs for diversification of their business operations, which is ever more important in today's challenging global environment," he said.

The ambassador highlighted the Nenskra Hydro Power Plant as an exemplar of the collaborative and joint efforts between the two nations in the field of renewable and clean energy.

"This major renewable energy project envisaging investments of up to $1 billion, was conceived in 2015 as a result of cooperation between the investor ― Korean Water Resources Corporation (K-water) and JSC Partnership Fund. The 280-megawatt hydropower plant will supply Georgia with 1,200 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, to meet the growing demand of the local market and importantly, strengthen Georgia's energy security," Papaskua said.

Georgian Ambassador to South Korea Tarash Papaskua, left, poses with President Yoon Suk Yeol after presenting his credentials at the presidential office in Seoul, May 12. On the right is Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin. Yonhap

Cultural diplomacy is best

The ambassador emphasized the power of cultural diplomacy in fostering mutual recognition and understanding between nations.

"In my humble opinion, cultural diplomacy is the best possible diplomacy, as it makes us more visible and recognizable to each other. Cultural exchanges are essential when we talk about a deepening of relations between countries," he said, noting that both Georgia and Korea have a rich history and culture.

"Georgia takes great pride in its traditional polyphonic music and dances, which are truly appreciated in Korea and I am hoping to be able to continue promoting them among Korean citizens during my tenure. On the other hand, K-pop and K-culture, are really quite special, which is becoming increasingly popular among Georgians, especially the Korean language and K-dramas."

Enhancing tourism is another duty within Papaskua's range of responsibilities. He emphasized the potential for successful cooperation in tourism, citing Georgia's famed hospitality and encouraging Koreans to experience it firsthand.

"Georgia is renowned for its hospitality. I think it is simply embedded in our genetic code. Many people in Korea tell me that they have heard about the famous Georgian hospitality, but I tell them they should visit the country and experience the infinite hospitality themselves, which I am sure they will immensely appreciate," he said.

The ambassador expressed his hope that the number of Koreans visiting Georgia as well as Georgians visiting Korea will pick up again soon and reach the pre-pandemic level.

"I believe two particular decisions could significantly promote and contribute to greater exchange between our peoples. Firstly, this is about the decision to establish the full-fledged Embassy of Korea in Tbilisi; secondly, about the decision of the government of Korea to reciprocate the visa exemption for the holders of ordinary passports of Georgia," Papaskua said.

"There have been numerous consultations and detailed discussions held between Georgia and Korea on the above issues and we indeed hope and look forward to the Korean government's positive decisions in this regard in the near future.

"Furthermore in 2021, we signed the Air Services Agreement between the Governments of our countries and hopefully, it will encourage Korean airline companies to consider launching direct regular flights to Georgia that will definitely promote tourism."