Events

On 20 May, a presentation of Professor Giorgi Gvalia’s book, “The European Union as a Global Actor: Institutions, Values and Interests”, and a panel discussion will be held in the G106 Conference Hall of Ilia State University. The event is organised within the EU-funded project “Jean Monnet Chair at Iliauni” and by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

The event aims to promote academic discussion on the European Union’s global role, European integration, regional security in the South Caucasus, and current geopolitical developments.

The event will begin with participant registration at 10:30. The book presentation will start at 11:00. The book was prepared and published within the framework of the Jean Monnet Chair.

Following the book presentation, a panel discussion will be held with the participation of academic staff in social and political sciences at Ilia State University.

Panel Discussion Participants

• Ivane Lomidze — Associate Professor, Sociology;
• Zarina Burkadze — Associate Professor, Political Science;
• Nino Pavlebishvili — Associate Professor, Political Science;
• Giorgi Gvalia — Professor, Politics and International Relations.
• Giorgi Odoshashvili- Panel Moderator

The panel discussion will address the following topics: cooperation and political dynamics between the European Union and the South Caucasus; Georgia’s European integration; EU enlargement policy and the South Caucasus; the EU’s role in regional security; the South Caucasus amid contemporary geopolitical changes; the influence of external actors — the United States, Russia, China, Turkey and Iran — in the region; democratisation, human rights and the rule of law; energy security, connectivity and transit corridors; hybrid threats, disinformation and resilience; conflicts and peacebuilding perspectives; youth, education and EU opportunities in the South Caucasus.

Programme

• 10:30 — Participant registration;
• 11:00 — Presentation of Professor Giorgi Gvalia’s book “The European Union as a Global Actor: Institutions, Values and Interests”;

Following the book presentation — Panel discussion.

For further information, please contact the organisers at: jeanmonnetchair@iliauni.edu.ge

Time: 20 May

10:30 — Participant registration

11:00 — book presentation

Venue: Ilia State University, Hall G106, G. Tsereteli  Exit N 1-3

2026