STUDENT EVENT // Debate "EU-Georgia relations. Who should care more?"

The students of the Georgian and Polish Societies organized a debate “EU-Georgia relations. Who should care more?”. The panel was composed of 5 speakers of various affiliations, who were welcomed with opening remarks by Rector Federica MOGHERINI.

The conference served as a platform for discussing the latest developments in the relationship between Georgia and the European Union. As part of the Georgian-Polish National Week at the College of Europe, this event explored Georgia's European perspective, taking into account the impact of the Russian war in Ukraine on the region and its implications for Georgia.

Speakers examined the Commission's recent report on Georgia's alignment with the EU acquis, evaluating its progress and identifying the challenges that lie ahead with a focus on mutual interests and benefits.

The formal tone of the conference encouraged rigorous debate and critical thinking, ensuring that all speakers had the opportunity to contribute their ideas and perspectives. The goal of the conference was to foster a deeper understanding of EU-Georgia relations and to identify ways in which both parties can work together to achieve their shared goals.

List of speakers

  • Paweł HERCZYNSKI, EU ambassador to Georgia since September 2022, former EEAS Managing Director for Common Security and Defence Policy and Crisis Response and former Polish Ambassador to EU Political and Security Committee.
  • Vakhtang MAKHAROBLISHVILI, Ambassador of Georgia to the Kingdom of Belgium and Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and Head of the Mission of Georgian to the EU since June 2021. He led the formats of political dialogue with the EU, including the Association Committee, High Level Strategic Security Dialogue and the EU Human Rights Dialogue.

  • Anna FOTYGAMEP, ECR Member of the the EU-Georgia Parliamentary Association Committee and Committee on Foreign Affairs, former Minister of Foreign Affairs in Poland and former Head of Chancellery of the President of Poland
  • Tinatin AKHVLEDIANI, Research fellow, CEPS Research Fellow and Head of Financial Markets and Institutions (FMI) Unit at CEPS. Her research covers the EU's financial stability and financial, trade and neighbourhood policies.
  • Tengiz PKHALADZESenior fellow, ECIPE Senior research Fellow at the ECIPE. His interests cover, i.a., Eastern Partnership Countries, Black Sea region and Russian foreign policy towards those countries. Former Advisor – Foreign Relations Secretary to the President of Georgia.
  • Arkadiusz LEGIECanalyst, PISM Analyst of the Polish Institut for International Affairs (PISM), editorial secretary of the ‘Polish Diplomatic Review’.

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