Provisional agreement between the German Empire and the Democratic Republic of Georgia
Georgia's first international treaty, signed two days after independence, established German protection and recognition of the new republic in 1918.
Key Facts
- Date signed
- 28 May 1918
- Days after Georgian independence
- 2 days
- German signatory
- General Otto von Lossow
- Georgian signatory
- Foreign Minister Akaki Chkhenkeli
- Signing location
- Port of Poti, Black Sea coast
- Georgia's treaty rank
- First international treaty of the republic
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Georgia proclaimed independence on 26 May 1918, amid the collapse of the Transcaucasian Federative Republic and ongoing turmoil following the Russian Revolution. The newly independent state sought immediate external backing to secure its sovereignty against regional threats, turning to Germany as a powerful potential protector.
On 28 May 1918, General Otto von Lossow signed the Treaty of Poti on behalf of the German Empire, and Foreign Minister Akaki Chkhenkeli signed for Georgia. The bilateral agreement committed Germany to recognizing Georgia and extending its protection to the fledgling republic, concluded at the Black Sea port of Poti.
The Treaty of Poti became Georgia's first-ever international treaty and placed the republic under German protection at the moment of its founding. This gave Georgia a degree of diplomatic legitimacy and security in its earliest days, linking its initial foreign policy orientation firmly to Imperial Germany in the final months of World War I.
Political Outcome
Georgia accepted German protection and received German recognition of its independence under the terms of the agreement.
Georgia was a newly proclaimed independent state with no international recognition or formal alliances.
Georgia gained recognition and protection from the German Empire, establishing its first formal international relationship.