The School of Social Sciences of the University of Georgia conducts an annual “crisis response simulation” project for students, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and public servants. The winners of the project receive the opportunity to visit leading European research institutions and organizations.
This year, the winners of the exercise, Mariam Kariauli, Giorgi Lazareishvili, Ana Tcharkhalashvili, and Nino Tsikhelashvili had the possibility to visit the NATO headquarters and EU institutions. During the visit to the NATO HQ, participants also visited the Georgian Mission to NATO and discussed with Mr. Vakhtang Chkhaidze and Mr. Giorgi Robakidze NATO-Georgia relations and major priorities. At the Alliance HQ project, participants also had a chance to meet with representatives of the Engagement Section of the NATO Public Division, Ms. Beata Patasova, Ms. Barbora Moronkova and Ms. Paula Redondo, and had a fruitful discussion about the New NATO strategic concept and role of the alliance in the Russia-Ukraine war.
On the second day, project participants met with the Ambassador of Georgia to EU and the Kingdom of Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Mr. Vakhtang Makharoblishvili and discussed the European perspectives of Georgia and existing challenges in the process of European integration.
Additionally, project winners had a familiarization visit to the European Parliament, European Commission, and EEAS. During the visit, participants had an opportunity to meet with the team representatives of the DG NEAR of the European Commission Mr. Michael Rupp and Nick Cendrowicz, and the team leader of the Eastern Partnership and regional cooperation and OSCE of the EEAS Ms. Marta Wytrykowska.
On behalf of the School of Social Sciences, we want to thank our partners for their collaboration and financial support NATO Liaison Office in Georgia and the Polish Embassy in Tbilisi.
Additionally, we also want to thank the Georgian Mission to NATO and the Georgian Mission to the EU for assisting in organizing a visit.