December 24, 2011 - 09:30 AMT
Georgia eyes Russia as major threat to its security

The new concept of national security, adopted by the parliament of Georgia, called Russia a greatest threat to the country.

The concept states that the "principal purpose" of Russia is "to transform Georgia into a “failed state," creating obstacles at its European and Euro-Atlantic path and "to forcibly bring Georgia back to the Russian orbit”.

The new concept is meant to replace the document adopted in July 2005 with the main amendments being related to Russia, gazeta.ru reports.

Presenting the concept, Georgian National Security Council deputy secretary Batu Kutelia said it reflects the “altered reality” that emerged after the 2008 war.

Russia’s “occupation of Georgian territories”, “the risk of a new military aggression by Russia” and “terrorist acts in the occupied territories” have been listed major threats, risks and challenges to Georgian National Security.

The same document outlines Georgia’s foreign policy priorities in respect to individual countries as follows: a “strategic partnership” with the United States, Ukraine, Turkey and Azerbaijan; a “partnership” with Russia and a “pragmatic cooperation” with Armenia.