Tbilisi Hosts International Conference on Geo-strategic Landscape

Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili and McCain Institute president, former US Permanent Representative to NATO Kurt Volker, opened an international conference in Tbilisi on Tuesday dedicated to Europe's Changing Geostrategic Landscape following July’s Warsaw Summit.

The two-day conference will run from September 5-6 and include political and security leaders from the United States, European Union, Georgia and the Euro-Atlantic community.

The conference will focus on challenges facing the nations of Eastern Europe.

Margvelashvili addressed the issue of Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration process and highlighted the importance of the US’ and Europe’s policy amid growing threats from Russia.

“Georgia has achieved a lot. Our country is today an important part of the discussions on regional stability,” said Margvelashvili.

He expressed hope that Georgian citizens would soon enjoy visa-free travel to Europe’s Schengen zone.

When discussing the upcoming October 8 parliamentary elections, Margvelashvili said the polls would be an important test for Georgia’s democratic institutions.

“Georgia has achieved significant progress, increased its self-defense capacity and is considered as an important partner when referring to Black Sea basin,” Margvelashvili said.

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili also spoke about the challenges that face Georgia and the whole Caucasus region, saying that Russia exudes ever-increasing influence over Georgia and the region through its policies of occupation and support for separatist proxies.

Kvirikashvili also said regional energy projects and cooperation with Azerbaijan in the energy sector remain vital components of Georgia’s relations with its neighbors

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will visit the conference ahead on his meetings with the Georgian leadership.

By Thea Morrison

Edited by Nicholas Waller