In the wake of the new status quo in the region following the second Karabakh conflict, the possibility of a tripartite military alliance between Georgia, Turkey and Azerbaijani is being discussed in Turkey. This issue may have been discussed during Georgia’s Foreign Minister Davit Zalkaliani’s visit to Turkey carried out on March 2, although official sources do not speak about this issue at this stage.

As Head of the Center for Ethnic and Confessional Relations, Lela Jejelava told the Accent, this is not a new agenda in the format of tripartite relations.

According to her, Trabzon Declaration Of The Ministers Of Foreign Affairs Of The Republic Of Azerbaijan, Georgia And The Republic Of Turkey signed 08 June 2012, “included forms of cooperation that went beyond the format of economic cooperation; there were talks about mutual assistance in the military field.”

Possible tripartite military alliance

"The issue of the possible tripartite military alliance has become particularly topical

after the second Karabakh conflict: the political opposition and government officials in Turkey are not entirely satisfied with the outcome for Turkey - Turkey's representation in the monitoring function is absolutely not a counterbalance to the presence of the Russian armed forces. We should not forget that the Russians are stationed in the territories of Armenia and Georgia with the mandate of non- peacekeepers.

It is natural for Turkey to change the situation. For this purpose, close political-economic-military relations with Azerbaijan and economic-political relations with Georgia alone do not provide a sufficient basis. Therefore, more is needed. This is an analysis of a possible scenario that is being discussed in Turkey and which is really in the interests of Turkey,” Jejelava said.

In the same context, she notes that, “just like 100 years ago, Britain is entering the Caucasus as an independent player.”

New old player in the region

"It is known that Britain has promoted to strengthen Turkey's strategic interests both in the Caucasus and in the Middle East. This situation has changed for some period of time. After Brexit, Britain has a new clear policy that includes also more active role in the Middle East and the South Caucasus, and in this regard Turkey is a reliable partner,” she said, adding that "the development of trilateral relations between Georgia, Turkey and Azerbaijan, politically, economically and militarily is also in the interests of Britain".

According to Jejelava, the new player in the region creates a completely new reality, which must be taken into account by all three countries of the South Caucasus.

“Georgia is wasting time to find a window of opportunity in this new reality. We are involved in dirty, domestic issues. It's a huge obstacle to properly assess the reality and then find ways to further development.” she added.