Batumi 13th International Conference “Georgia’s European Way – Stability, Development, Diversity” traditionally organized by the Office of the State Minister of Georgia on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration since 2007 was officially opened today at Batumi Hilton Hotel. The State Minister on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, David Bakradze and Chairman of GLOBSEC Policy Institute, Ambassador Rastislav Káčer has introduced their welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony of the Conference. Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations and Giorgi Kvirikashvili, the Prime Minister of Georgia have also delivered their keynote speeches. Furthermore, GLOBSEC is a proud partner of the Batumi International Conference this year.  

The 13th Batumi International Conference has welcomed high level officials from the Parliament and Government of Georgia, the European Union and its Member States, as well as from Easter Partnership countries, representatives of private sector, academia and media.

The main topics of this year’s Batumi International Conference include: EU-Georgia relations and role of the EU assistance throughout the European integration process of Georgia; European Neighbourhood Policy, lessons learned and key challenges of Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries. The principle topics to be addressed at the conference also include the implementation process of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement including the DCFTA and visa liberalization related issues. The conference will also address the geopolitical situation in the region, along with the contemporary security challenges and opportunities. The topics of strategic communication and cooperation with civil society will also be given particular importance during the discussions. Since the conference will take place at the beginning of the Slovak Presidency in the Council of the European Union, experts will discuss challenges that it will face with during that period – especially with regards to the EaP.

This year, for the first time, Batumi Conference will host the Night Owl Session “Brexit and the future of Europe” (Chatham House Rules) dedicated to the outcomes of the recent referendum held in the United Kingdom regarding its exit from the European Union. Participants of the session will discuss the future of Europe in this context. On the second day of the Conference, on 15 July, the Conference will feature “GLOBSEC Chat”- styled “Dialogue with the President of Georgia” H.E. Giorgi Margvelashvili moderated by the honorary chairman of the GLOBSEC and Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to Hungary H.E. Rastislav Káčer. During this debate the President of Georgia will discuss Georgia’s current steps towards European integration, its accompanying challenges as well as success stories.

You can follow the discussions online through live-streaming.