Minority Rights in Georgia Compared to EU Norms. A Comparative Analysis with Romania, a Model of Good Practices in Minority Rights in EU

Statement about the STSM:

I did my short-term scientific mission at the Romanian Centre for Russian Studies within the University of Bucharest under the coordination of Dr. Marius Diaconescu, Associate Professor at the Faculty of History. This STSM was very productive for me as it provided great opportunities to access and collect the necessary resources for my research project. During my stay, I conducted my research studies at the Romanian Centre for Russian Studies and the Central University Library Charles the 1st in Bucharest. Moreover, this STSM gave me the chance to attend the International Conference “The Hungarian Optants Question in Transnational Perspectives'' organised by the University of Bucharest on June 15-16. By attending the conference, I had the opportunity to meet experts from different countries working on the issues related to national minorities in Romania, as well as deepen my knowledge, in particular, about the Hungarian minority in Romania.

STSM purpose:

My research during this STSM focused on EU norms on the rights of national minorities that were applied in Romanian legislation. The main purpose of this study was to examine the policies adopted by the government that contributed to the improvement of the practices of non-territorial autonomy in Romania. After analysing the legal framework in Romania regarding the rights of national minorities, the research attempted to compare them with the current legal situation of national minorities in Georgia. The study used a comparative approach to identify the gaps between EU norms and the legal framework for national minorities in Georgia, as well as recommend Romanian best practices on national minorities’ rights that Georgia could use to harmonise with EU norms in the perspective of its EU accession.

Description of the work carried out during the STSM:

My research work consisted of two stages. At the first stage, I researched and analysed the important literature on the special laws adopted by the Romanian government regarding the cultural, linguistic and political rights of national minorities during and after Romania's accession to the EU. Having studied the legislative framework of Romania on the rights of national minorities, I compared them with EU norms to find out if they correspond to each other. I also carefully studied the functions of the Romanian institutions based on European structures in relation to the rights of national minorities. During the second stage of my work, I compared the results of my research of the legislative framework of Romania on the rights of national minorities with the Georgian legislation on national minorities. At the end of each stage of my work, I had meetings with my supervisor, Professor Marius Diaconescu, who gave me useful recommendations and comments for my future research contributions.

Description of the main results obtained:

My STSM at the Romanian Centre for Russian Studies fully achieved its goals set before my arrival under the guidance of my supervisor. I had the opportunity to collect important materials for my research project during my stay in Bucharest. This STSM helped me deepen my knowledge and understanding of the EU legal framework regarding the protection of the rights of national minorities and conduct a comparative study of the rights of national minorities in two countries, one of which is an EU member (Romania) and another aspirant to the EU (Georgia). The results of my study showed that in practice non-territorial autonomy (NTA) was implemented in Romania. For example, the use and preservation of national minority languages and their cultural, educational and political rights. In addition, several recommendations were made to bridge the gap between the legal framework of national minorities in Georgia and European norms, especially with regard to non-territorial autonomy, using the Romanian measures as a model. The outcomes of my research would help me publish one policy paper and a joint scientific paper with my coordinator, Professor Marius Diaconescu in near future. This STSM also strengthened my academic network through informal conversations and discussions with experts who participated in the conference and academics from the University of Bucharest involved in the study of national minorities in Romania, as well as with colleagues from the Centre.Therefore, I am very grateful to the COST ACTION ENTAN grant for giving me the opportunity to collaborate with Professor Marius Diaconescu and implement my research project at the Romanian Centre for Russian Studies within the University of Bucharest.