Georgia
Georgia’s culture boom
Many praise Georgia as being a good pupil in the Eastern Partnership class, but cementing contacts between Georgia and EU citizens is much more than signing political agreements, writes Mikheil Batiashvili.
TRACECA could have been the backbone of Belt and Road
In the early 1990’s, the EU had actually paved the way for Euro-Asian connectivity programmes with TRACECA, a programme meant to promote regional transport dialogue. However, its attention to the initiative dwindled over the years, writes Nicola Contessi.
A decade after the war: Why the world should support Georgia’s peace initiatives
This week marks ten years since Georgia lived through a dramatic five day war with the Russian Federation. On 12 August 2008, the EU brokered a ceasefire deal bringing an end to open warfare – but not to conflict, explains Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.
Georgia’s European way: What next?
The offer by the European Commission to let the College meet on an annual basis with Georgia’s leadership is unique when comparing it to relations between the EU and other third countries, writes Steven Blockmans.
Why NATO should double-down on Georgian membership
When NATO leaders meet in Brussels this week they should have Georgia on their minds, write Amanda Paul and Ana Andguladze.
Georgia is a country of old Europe
Many forces wish to undermine Georgia’s democratic development, and this is why the EU engagement and cooperation must be much more active, writes Gunnar Hökmar.
Bringing the Eastern Partnership closer to the citizens
The Eastern Partnership can only be successful if people feel and believe in its positive results and see concrete improvements in their daily lives, write Micheil Dschanelidse and Michael Roth.
A low-key Eastern Partnership Summit
Instead of grand declarations, a low-key Eastern Partnership Summit focusing on concrete deliverables can be just what both the EU and the EaP countries need, write Igor Merheim-Eyre and Katarzyna Sobieraj.
Georgia: Failing democratic transition or Eastern Partnership success story?
To the untrained eye, Georgia’s European future looks secure. Yet, zoom in closer and Georgia is quickly turning into another oligarchic regime in the region, where political competition and free speech are on the wane. Salome Samadashvili calls on Brussels to act.
For Russia, some conflicts are colder than ever
The breakaway strategy should be understood as part of Russia's broader efforts to keep its sphere of influence in the former Soviet periphery intact so as to buffer against foreign rivals, writes Eugene Chausovsky.
Georgia’s quiet move away from ‘Messiah’ politics
A quiet transition has taken place under the Georgian Dream government, bringing the country in line with a fully-matured western democracy, writes Amanda Paul.
Georgia’s achievements must be recognised
Georgia has made big changes to meet its commitments to the EU. We must recognise this and not let them down on the question of visa-free travel, writes Heidi Hautala.
Georgia persists in its bid to join the EU
The Brexit vote has fuelled discussions in Georgia about the country’s hopes of joining the EU. Tbilisi has consistently assured the bloc that the country’s European choice is irreversible. But Georgia’s European bid still faces serious exams, writes Zaal Anjaparidze.
Armenia’s isolation laid bare
The latest phase of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is just another reminder of Armenia's unenviable geopolitical position, as significantly, its valuable alliance with Russia has not helped, writes Stratfor’s Eugene Chausovsky.
Linkevicius: Dealing with Russia is like playing football against a rugby team
Calls for returning to “normal dialogue” and re-establishing “pragmatic” relations with Russia only show that some in the EU have not learned the lessons of the recent past, writes Linas Linkevi?ius.
EU urgently needs new neighbourhood policies
There will never be a common foreign and security policy worthy of the name unless the EU manages to redefine its neighbourhood policies, writes Michael Leigh.
Visa-free travel is logical next step in Georgia’s EU integration journey
Georgia is a success story for the Eastern Partnership and for EU soft power, writes Irakli Garibashvili. Yet the country needs to go further to secure the stability of our region and to shore up human rights.
Russian seizure of Georgian pipeline has dangerous implications
Taras Nazarenko urges Europe to wake up and notice Russia’s new weapon: seizing its neighbours' pipelines.
Tourist boom in Georgia and Azerbaijan helps mitigate low oil prices
Georgia and Azerbaijan, two South Caucasus countries that offer breath-taking natural beauty, architectural treasures and rich histories, are going all-out to develop their tourism industries, writes Giorgi Meladze.
European war games: Responses to Russian military drills
The Nordic and Baltic states are working to boost security cooperation in response to Russia's military activity in the region and the security buildup on both sides is expected to continue, writes Stratfor.
The European struggle for the East
The Eastern Partnership Initiative (EaP) lacks a more tailored approach to partner countries as well as comprehensive security element, wrotes Václav Lídl.
Lifting the visa barrier for Georgians should be the EU response to Russia’s bullying tactics
A first and immediate step to respond to Russia’s objective to annex the territory of the former Soviet Union is visa liberalisation, writes David Bakradze.
MEP vote for EU accord with Georgia will unleash mutual benefits
The benefits for Georgia of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement are beyond doubt. But the Union has also a lot to gain from this step, writes Tamar Beruchashvili.