It is clear enough, that in Georgia, both elites and society see their country as belonging to Europe. At the same time, the country is in a somewhat precarious situation, in as much as Russia - the former colonial power - has not given up its aspiration to reclaim some kind of overlordship over Georgia or, indeed, over the rest of the Southern Caucasus. In this sense, there are many in Russia, who do not take Georgia's status as an independent state seriously and take the view that Georgia's return to Russia is just a question of time.

 

Predictably, this leaves the great majority in Georgia feeling decidedly insecure. And this insecurity has most decidedly intensified in the light of last year's conflict with Russia - no country likes to be stripped of its sovereign territory, as Georgia was.

 

All this affects the EU in various ways. Georgia sees itself as having a European future, not least as a guarantee of its security. In addition, there is the South Caucasian energy corridor, which is a lifeline for Europe's energy supplies. These would be compelling enough for the EU take Georgia's European aspirations seriously. But there is a final argument. If Europe neglects these aspirations, then Europe's own credibility in the world will come into question and Europe's opponents will be delighted by the EU's weakness.