The Role of Energy Security in Determining Foreign Policy: The Case Study of the European Union and Georgia

Security of the energy supply is a cornerstone of the European energy policy. Considering that Russia is the biggest energy importer to Europe, the EU is facing constant energy security challenges. During the nearest past, Europe has repeatedly witnessed how Moscow uses energy as a political leverage. Which was a clear evidence for the EU that Russia is not a reliable supplier. That is why the energy market diversification is one of the main objective of the European energy security path.
The research aims to explore reasons why the transit potential of Georgia effects on the foreign policy of the European Union towards the country. The thesis develops hypothesis according to which Georgia's potential to transit Caspian Energy to Europe is an important source of energy diversification and reduction of Russian leverage for the EU, which plays an essential role in determining EU's foreign policy to Georgia.
The hypothesis is backed up with the rational choice theory according which actors behave in a rational and self-interest manner, furthermore the existence of institutions is explained by reference to the benefit or value its actors gain from its existence (Martin, 1992).