In December 2023, Georgia gained candidate status for the European Union, along with Ukraine and Moldova. With the promise of working towards membership, the nation embarked on a journey shaped by EU standards and priorities for its political and social development. However, domestic and foreign policy developments since have charted an increasingly blurred path towards their completion.

London Politica's joint report by Central Asia/Caucasus and Europe programmes investigates Georgia's EU trajectory in the year since gaining candidate status, evaluating its progress on the 12 membership priorities set by the EU. For its launch, project lead Eva Kristinova brings together regional experts Bako Kheladze and Irina Mamulashvili to discuss Georgia's EU path and what it might look like going forward.

Watch the discussion here: Report Launch - Georgia's EU Dream (Youtube)

About the speakers

Bako Kheladze

Bako is an independent researcher and policy analyst specializing in the South Caucasus' role in international security dynamics, Iran’s foreign policy, and "Eurasianism." He holds a master’s degree in International Security Studies from the University of Leicester. With experience as a Press Officer at the Embassy of Georgia to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Bako has developed expertise in diplomacy and regional policy analysis. Fluent in Georgian, Persian, Russian, and English. His research and publications explore the nexus of regional dynamics and global security, offering valuable insights into the evolving geopolitical landscape.

Irina Mamulashvili

Irina is a Russian Sanctions Project Officer at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). She has experience working on the foreign policies of Georgia, Ukraine, Russia, and Moldova across government institutions, international organizations, and NGOs. She previously worked at the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy, one of Georgia’s largest and oldest NGOs, focusing on election monitoring and disinformation. At the European Parliament, she supported an MEP on matters related to the EU candidacy status of Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova. She also conducted research at the UK House of Commons on mechanisms for rebuilding Ukraine. A Chevening Scholar, Irina earned a Master’s in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy from City, University of London.

Eva Kristinova

Eva is the Programme Director for London Politica’s Central Asia and Caucasus Programme. She is an experienced analyst and researcher in the fields of conflict and security, eastern European and Central Asian foreign policy. Her expertise has been recognised by the Oxford Department of International Development and the LSE Undergraduate Political Review Conference, where she received the Best Prize for her work on Russo-Ukrainian relations and presented her paper on frozen conflicts in the Caucasus respectively. Eva holds an MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy from the University of Oxford, and a BA in Politics and International Relations from the University of Manchester.