THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL TREATY OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA AND ITS ECONOMIC ASPECTS

Abstract

  The first international treaty of the Democratic Republic of Georgia was concluded two days after Georgia›s declaration of independence on May 28, 1918.
  Under this agreement, Georgia received a kind of «guarantee of favor» from the German Empire that it would protect the international recognition of the newly established Democratic Republic of Georgia.
  Declaring independence for the country is an important but still not sufficient event. Given the difficult economic and social background, the government of the Democratic Republic of Georgia had to prove that the country could maintain and strengthen its independence.
  The “Poti agreement” was not the only first international treaty of the Democratic Republic of Georgia, but also the determination of the content of all further international actions. As far as Germany was presented as a party, it was significant for other countries as well, thus practically obligatory for the allied countries of Germany.
  The existence of the treaty of Georgia was crucial and the establishment of independence, de facto and de jure recognition of the country was considerable for other countries.
  It is also quite clear that Germany was driven not only by political but also by economic interests in Georgia. But according to overall perception, these interests did not infringe Georgia›s sovereignty and were not inconsistent with its national aspirations; Germany considered Georgia not as a satellite but as a partner with whom the cooperation was based on principles acceptable for both countries.
  However, given the substance of the treaty, German stated obvious attraction and strong support towards small and weak country Georgia. Especially in problem solving and overcoming crisis in economic, industrial, trade, transport, mining, budget-finance, food provision, etc. Thus, supported definition and establishment of geo-political and geo-economic space of the country.