'The Dimitri Amilakhvari Georgian-French Dialogue' – A New Stage and New Prospects for Bilateral Relations

Although France is already one of Georgia's strategic partners[3] in terms of bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, and notably regarding EU and NATO integration, given the dynamics of the relationship’s development it is important to increase the scope of Georgia's representation in France. This could be done by opening a consulate in Lyon due to the high concentration of Georgian citizens there and further using of the Honorary Consul Institute in the major French cities in order to actively promote new economic and cultural relations with France - including attracting French investment capital, increasing Georgian exports to France or promoting ancient Georgian culture. Representing Georgia more widely across France through honorary consuls descended from Georgian emigrants of the 1920s, for instance, on the one hand, might be perceived as a part of historical regularity, and on the other hand, may address the somewhat problematic issue of the enactment of the Economic Envoy Institute (in relation to other countries).

In terms of the development of bilateral economic relations, the trend is dynamic but not privileged: among the countries Georgia exports to, France currently ranks 24^th,[4] and it does not even rank among the 20 largest investors in Georgia.[5] The special role that Georgia’s President Salome Zourabishvili plays in raising awareness of Georgia in France should be emphasized, but it is equally important to further increase the French media and business sectors’ awareness of the reforms Georgia has achieved, of the country’s favourable business environment and of growing investment opportunities by arranging on-site meetings or visits to Georgia. Georgia currently ranks 7^th (of 190) in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Index,[6] and 12^th (of 162) in the Fraser Institute’s Index of Economic Freedom.[7] In turn, Georgia should share France's experience in innovative business development, as in the latter the most attractive investment destination[8] in Europe today is exactly the French republic.

It is also worth noting the agreement signed between Georgia and France on circular migration, which entered into force in February last year. Consequently, it is important to launch an active information campaign to raise the level of awareness of citizens of Georgia upon the opportunities envisaged by the agreement, on the one hand and to enhance the awareness of employment agencies or private organizations in France, on the other. 

In terms of informing the general public of the abovementioned and Georgia's image as a European country, it is necessary to actively and consistently employ digital diplomacy. This would also contribute to the better service of our fellow citizens living abroad, including to increase the awareness of Georgian citizens of the French immigration policy on the prevention of illegal migration.  

The recent establishment of the Georgian-French University (Université franco-géorgienne, UFG) was also a significant step forward in bilateral relations.[9] France is currently the 4^th most popular destination in the world for foreign students, and the 1^st for hosting non-English speaking students. Thanks to her internationally recognized high quality education and science system, the country now ranks 7^th in terms of hourly labour productivity, thus outperforming both Germany and the United Kingdom.[10] Georgia therefore needs to increase the limited number of scholarships currently available under the joint annual scholarship programme offered by the French and Georgian governments (and implemented by Georgia’s International Center for Education). Increased investments in the above field with France may serve as a prerequisite for training highly skilled personnel that in the long run will significantly contribute to the advancement of the Georgian state, for instance, by their recruitment in the public service, the lack of which, by the way, today, is considered a hindrance by the European Union on the path to the country’s integration into the EU.^[11]

A further positive trend can be observed in the increasing number of young French people arriving in Georgia through European exchange programmes for education, internships or volunteer projects. As a form of public diplomacy, the Georgian government should establish and maintain close contacts with these young people after they return to France, for instance by creating a network of „Alumni of Georgia“ that would bring together all the young people who have visited Georgia through various educational and volunteer programmes. Considering the experience of other countries, in the long run such a network would serve as an effective tool for raising awareness of Georgia abroad. In addition, it is important to support the positioning of French youth living in Georgia in the French media once they leave for their country in order to increase Georgia’s popularity as an educational, scientific and cultural hub in the region. Holding meetings and public lectures about Georgia with French students in academic circles - in various research or higher education institutions - is also important to promote the attractiveness of Georgian education, research or cultural space.

As a means of increasing contacts between young people, Tbilisi should seek to join the Young Ambassador Project which Nantes and Saarbrücken have been running annually since 2008.[12]

The involvement of Tbilisi in the program, as a sister city with Nantes and Saarbrucken, would to some extent promote the development of Georgian-French-German relations within the existing trilateral format.

Instead of Summary

„And if all is not right, blame the Georgian paper for everything and not ..."[13]