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15/05/2024 Kornely Kakachia

Bridging the Divide: Georgia’s Alignment with the EU’s Foreign Policy

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2024-05-15 14:29:22
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The policy paper explores the complex dynamics of Georgia’s alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). It highlights the geopolitical challenges and strategic dilemmas faced by Georgia following its receipt of EU candidate status in 2023, a development accelerated by the geopolitical shifts resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The paper delves into the nuanced reasons behind Georgia’s moderate alignment with the CFSP, emphasizing the influence of internal political factors, such as the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party’s policies, and external pressures, including the delicate balance Tbilisi maintains with Russia and other regional and global actors. Through statistical analysis, interviews with key officials, and expert opinions, the paper assesses the alignment trends and discusses the potential implications for Georgia’s EU accession aspirations. It critically examines the EU’s expectations for full alignment and the challenges posed by Georgia’s geopolitical context, suggesting that Georgia needs to find a proper equilibrium between improving its alignment rate with the CFSP and addressing its geopolitical vulnerabilities.

This publication was produced in cooperation with the Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF). The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the author and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP) and the Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF). 

Policy Paper #42 | May 2024

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Renata Skardziute-Kereselidze

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Kornely Kakachia

Kornely Kakachia is Professor of Political Science at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia, and Director of Tbilisi based think tank Georgian Institute of Politics. His current research focuses on Georgian domestic and foreign policy, security issues of the wider Black Sea area and comparative party politics. He was a recipient of IREX and OSI fellowships and was a visiting fellow at Harvard University’s Black Sea Security program, (2009–2010) Harriman Institute, Columbia University (2011) and The Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. In his capacity as an expert on Georgian Domestic and Foreign policy, Kakachia has appeared on BBC, Deutsche Welle, Financial Times, Le Monde, Figaro, VOA, as well as on Georgian radio and television stations to comment on Georgia’s foreign policy, regional security and other issues.