A joint publication “The EU’s Relations with Its Eastern Neighborhood as Seen through EU Presidency Programs 2001-2021” prepared by Tbilisi State University (TSU) and the South Caucasus Regional Office of the European Public Law Organization (EPLO) describes the important developments that took place between the European Union and its Southeastern neighbors as well as the regional processes developed in 2001-2021.

Rector of TSU, George Sharvashidze, foreign diplomats accredited in Georgia, professors and students attended the presentation.

“It is a very interesting publication. Its first part offered seven steps we need to take to become a member of the European Union. The work is still underway, an Abkhaz version of the book is being prepared and it is good that this very important initiative is being implemented. I hope that this book will become a desk book for many readers, and students,” Rector Sharvashidze said.

Ioseb Nanobashvili, head of the South Caucasus Regional Office of the European Public Law Organization (EPLO), said that along with TSU, international experts were also involved in the research.

“It is the first joint research and I am happy that we are holding a presentation at Tbilisi State University. TSU, as our representative and a member of the Scientific Council, is actively assisting us in the popularization of both research and EU issues,” Ioseb Nanobashvili noted.

The Romanian Consul to Georgia stressed that his country was the supporter and partner of Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova and expressed hope that the process of these countries’ EU integration would be accelerated.

The research “The EU’s Relations with Its Eastern Neighborhood as Seen through EU Presidency Programs 2001-2021” mainly focuses on the importance of action plans of the EU rotating presidencies, because just they define the EU priorities and future actions.

The research is based on the consensus of provisions analyzed from 40 action plans, reflecting the relations of Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova with the European Union over the past 20 years. According to the research analysis, this action plan has an impact on the EU’s rapprochement with its Eastern neighborhood. Besides analyzing the situation, the publication involves recommendations and conclusions, which need to be taken into consideration in order to promote the implementation of research goals and Georgia’s integration into the EU.

The EPLO Regional Office was opened in Georgia based on a joint decision between the Government of Georgia, EPLO and TSU and it aims at creating an educational and research component promoting Georgia’s integration into the European community. The Regional Office will serve as a format for conducting research and training with the involvement of European experts, scientists and practitioners, where educational programs will be developed, including for public agencies, considering the needs and challenges related to the European integration process. Scientists, researchers and practitioners from the Eastern Partnership Initiative, as well as EU candidate countries will actively participate in the working process.

The EPLO Regional Office will promote the holding of public discussions on European integration issues to counter anti-European propaganda and disinformation against European integration. Foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Georgia will actively join the process.

Georgia joined EPLO in 2010. An agreement on opening a regional office entered into force on August 13, 2020, to promote the strengthening of European values as well as to introduce the principles of European public law and the best practices of public administration in Georgia.