In early July, Dr. Vanessa Tinker and Dr. Kerry Longhurst, lecturers and researchers at Collegium Civitas, embarked on a crucial fact-finding mission to Tbilisi, Georgia, as part of their comprehensive research project examining the nation’s prospects for European integration. This mission involved high-level interviews with key officials from the State Chancellery and the Parliament, as well as esteemed academics from the Institute for European Studies at Tbilisi State University. Additionally, discussions were held with representatives from think tanks and civil society organizations.

The mission shed light on several critical issues that are impeding Georgia’s progress toward European Union membership. Notable among these are systemic polarization, judicial reform blockages, Russian interference, and ineffective strategies for overcoming oligarchic influences. These factors collectively contribute to democratic backsliding and political paralysis in the country.

With the Presidential election set for October 2024, this year is poised to be pivotal for Georgia’s domestic development and its international and regional relations. The findings from this mission will be elaborated in two forthcoming scientific articles. The first article will analyze Georgia’s frozen conflicts through the lens of conflict mediation and its implications for the country’s Europeanization. The second article will explore Georgia’s EU membership prospects through a ‘gender lens’, providing a nuanced perspective on the challenges and opportunities ahead.

This research mission underscores the complexities facing Georgia and highlights the importance of informed, scholarly analysis in understanding and addressing these challenges.