Russia's Internal South Caucasus

The Role and Importance of Caucasus Societies for Russia

Author(s): Sergei Markedonov
Editor(s): Lili Di Puppo, Iris Kempe, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perovic
Series: Caucasus Analytical Digest (CAD)
Issue: 4
Pages: 11-14
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich; Jefferson Institute, Washington D.C.; Heinrich Böll Foundation, Tbilisi; Research Centre for East European Studies, University of Bremen
Publication Year: 2009

Large diasporas from the three South Caucasus countries live inside Russia, though estimates vary on their actual size. None of these groups are monolithic and politicians and the media often fail to understand their diversity and the role they play. The diasporas have an impact on the development of relations between Russia and its South Caucasus neighbors, not least through the large money transfers flowing from Russia to the region. The experience of productive ties between Sochi officials and the Georgian community living in the area could serve as a model for improving Georgian-Russian relations. To date, Russia has underestimated the role that its diasporas could play in advancing its interests.

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