Georgian authorities are attempting to persuade western political society their country in still an important player in South Caucasus region, the head of Strategic Research Center Hrant Melik-Shakhnazaryan said.

As he noted in a conversation with PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, August 2008 events revealed the inadequacy of both Georgian and western policies. “The war with Russia turned Georgia into a liability, rather than an ally to the west, also decreasing its regional importance. Clearly, in current situation, official Tbilisi should have come up with a new role. Next thing we see is Foreign Minister Vashadze expressing readiness for Georgia to mediate Karabakh issue. I believe, Saakashvili’s visit to Armenia should be viewed as the intention of Georgia authorities to emphasize their importance in the region.”

“Last week, while speaking at American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, Saakashvili attempted to persuade local experts of Georgia’s growing importance in the region. Now, he’s trying to prove it though populist statements,” Melik-Shakhnazaryan stressed.