Georgia's International Cooperation on Energy Security in 2012-2021
The article analyzes the main directions and priorities of Georgia's international cooperation in the energy sphere during the term of power of the “Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia” Party (2012-2021). The introduction substantiates the relevance and scientific significance of the topic, postulates its theoretical and applied aspects. The first section of the study provides a detailed analysis of the key priorities of energy cooperation between Georgia and the Russian Federation. The article highlights positive aspects of bilateral cooperation, as well as obvious problems in the relations between the states. A separate section of the article is devoted to the peculiarities of energy cooperation of Georgia with other neighboring states - Azerbaijan, Turkey and Armenia. In particular, the implementation of such projects as the joint exploitation by Georgia, Turkey and Azerbaijan of the South Caucasus gas pipeline ("Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum") and the "Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan" oil pipeline, as well as the joint trilateral development and implementation of the Southern Gas Transmission Corridor, are under consideration. Along with this, this section also analyzes the specifics of the Georgian-Armenian energy cooperation, including the exchange of advanced energy technologies. The final section of the study examines Georgia's energy diplomacy in a multilateral format. The authors state that the period 2012-2021 was characterized by a gradual increase in the intensity of Georgia's energy cooperation with the EU, the main priorities of which were the development of "green energy" (first of all, use of wind energy) and technological cooperation. Among international organizations, Georgia is most actively developing its energy cooperation with the United Nations and its specialized agencies (in particular, with UNIDO - the United Nations Industrial Development Organization), as well as with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In conclusion, the authors summarize the results of the study, assess the importance of various vectors of Georgian energy policy, and make a general conclusion about the exceptional relevance of international cooperation in the field of energy security for the Georgian state.