The Christian Democratic People’s Party of Georgia, an ECPM member, organized a two-day conference focused on present security issues in Europe and the role Georgia could play in counteracting them. It was attended by 50 foreign policy experts, politicians, diplomats, and members of the media.

The speakers on both days focused on the current European security architecture and its challenges, on Georgia’s prospective NATO membership and the EU-Georgia defense cooperation. George Rukhadze, CDPP Acting Chairman spoke about Russia’s policies of insurgencies and the threat it represents for the European security. The subsequent speakers outlined roles that the Eastern Partnership countries could play in countering Russian threats, together with EU member states and NATO. Georgia’s potential NATO membership and the possible outcome of the next NATO summit were discussed at length.

Speakers:

Ekaterina Metreveli, Director of Rondeli Foundation.

Davit Sikharulidze, former Defense Minister and presently Director at the Atlantic Council of Georgia

Nodar Kharshiladze, former Deputy Defense Minister

John Dipirro, International Republican Institute Country Director to Georgia

Radu Liviu Horumba, Romanian Ambassador to Georgia

Rosaria Puglisi, the Head of NATO Liaison Office in Georgia

Zurab Agladze, Former Commander of Georgian land forces

Nika Chitidze, Security Expert and Professor at Black Sea University