The Association Agreement between the EU and Georgia is a framework for cooperation proposed by the EU to non-EU member states. The agreement advocates for the creation of European standards and includes a range of different areas for cooperation such as free trade, implementation of EU legal practices, visa free movement, consumer protection and reforms directed towards environmental protection. The accomplishment of progressive reforms within the framework of Association Agreement brings the country closer to the European family, yet the agreement does not guarantee the accession to the EU.
Georgia’s aspiration to join the European and Euro-Atlantic community is reflected in its Constitution. The key challenge to this process is Russia’s imperialist policy towards the post-Soviet states. It is also noteworthy that there is a widespread belief among Russian political elites that the Association Agreement is in fact a major step forward in terms of European integration that could also possibly lead to the NATO membership in future,
Following the signing of the Association Agreement, Russia’s Ministry of Economy has issued a decree on suspending the Russian-Georgian Free-Trade Agreement, which was signed in February 1994. The Russian side justified this decision by claiming that the free trade with the EU increases the chances of European goods flowing into Russian market with no custom duties being payed. But just like other vectors of the Russian foreign policy, this argument was also groundless, since even before the signing of the Association Agreement the Georgian market had its doors open for the European products. Thus, hypothetically European goods could have entered the Russian market even then.
In fact, this statement was intended to cause fear in Georgian society and political circles, yet the Georgian government was prepared for such scenario, as proved by the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) assurances that Russian government would not dare to tax Georgian products at a high rate (20%+). On the contrary, as the Minister of Agriculture, Otar Danelia, informed the public, with the cancellation of the Free Trade Agreement with Russia, Georgia and Russia remain on equal terms with regards to both import and export taxation, whilst previously, the import of goods from Russia to Georgia exceeded the export of Georgian goods to Russia. The only disadvantage that the suspension of Free Trade Agreement could have caused was the rise in prices on Russian products.
As part of the Russian disinformation campaign there are several case studies that clearly reflect the Russian narrative with regards to EU-Georgia Association Agreement.
The Georgian TV channel “Obieqtivi”, which operates across the country, has always been distinct with its radical anti-Western statements as well as pro-Russian, pointless narratives. The Association Agreement was no exception and has been targeted by this TV channel. On 30 September 2017, the host of “Night Studio” program declared on TV that by signing of the Association Agreement, Georgia voluntarily refused to make decisions independently, since the Agreement implies the harmonization of the Georgian legislation with the Western legislation which endangers the national sovereignty of the country.
The aforementioned statement is false and serves the purpose of spreading the disinformation and fake news. The facts speak for themselves as the signing of the Association Agreement implies a desire by a state to share Western values that include respect for democratic principles, the rule of law, human rights and freedom of choice.
The fulfillment of undertaken obligations is also of a voluntary nature. In addition, it is highly likely that the aforementioned TV host may not be fully informed about the fact that the process of harmonization of the Georgian legislation with the EU legislation was initiated in 1997 by a decree of Parliament of Georgia and thus this process has not started under the scope of the Association Agreement. Moreover, similar statements fit well in the Russian narrative, in which “depraved and immoral Europe” forces us to adopt their habits and laws and thus endangers our national identity and sovereignty.
Clearly, the propaganda campaign targeting the Association Agreement is not limited to Georgia, In 2017, the pro-Russian President of Moldova, Igor Dodon declared Moldova made a mistake to sign the Association Agreement with the EU and this decision only harmed the country as they lost its solid presence on the Russian market. Yet, the truth is that in general it has been several years since the export to the Russian market has decreased. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of Moldova, in 2009 when the signing of Association Agreement was not even a part of political agenda, Moldova’s export to Russia was reduced by $27 million. Whereas in 2015, Moldovan export to Russia exceeded $240 million, while the export to the EU was around $1,2 billion.
To say the least the President’s statements are illogical. The Association Agreement would not affect the Russian-Moldovan economic relations in a harmful way, since the agreement does not use any mechanisms to limit Moldova’s economic freedom in the context of export.
In fact, imposition of economic embargo on post-Soviet states is not a new phenomenon is Russia’s arsenal. Economic leverage and pressure are often used by the Kremlin as its tools for punishment. A notable example of this is the 2006 embargo imposed on Georgia, that applied to the export of citrus, wine and mineral waters.
Thus, positive changes in Georgia, initiated and implemented by the EU are always being discredited by some parts of society. The reason for this is the Euroscepticism that is actively promoted by the Kremlin-backed groups. As the examples have shown, the similar narratives are actively circulated in pro-Kremlin media, particularly in the post-Soviet space.