Abstract Book of the 3rd International Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities in the 21st Century
Year: 2025
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History Of Georgia-EU Relations In the Post-Soviet Period (1991-2004)
Asst. Prof. Levan Tarieladze, Prof. Jemal Karalidze
ABSTRACT:
On December 14, 2023, by the decision of the 27 member states of the European Union, Georgia was granted candidate country status for EU membership, which is undoubtedly a historic event for Georgia.
Georgia’s relations with Europe date back to ancient times. Despite difficult political circumstances, Georgia maintained certain contacts with European countries and the Vatican. Georgia-EU relations began in 1991-1992, after the collapse of the Soviet Union and Georgia’s establishment as an independent state.
The years 1991-2004 were extremely difficult for Georgia, filled with internal conflicts and severe socio-economic and political conditions. It was during this challenging period, after the restoration of independence, that Georgia began active cooperation with European structures: the OSCE, the European Parliament, and the European Union. Georgia’s aspiration toward the European Union and the social and political support of European countries played a decisive role in stabilizing the country.
The EU’s assistance programs and projects played a tremendous role in Georgia’s formation as a modern state, promoting the development of a market economy and the establishment of democratic principles in the country.
We believe that studying Georgia’s relations with the European Union in the post-Soviet period is unequivocally relevant. We are specifically interested in that segment of Georgia’s European integration path when the first relationships between independent Georgia and European countries emerged, the first steps were taken, and Georgia’s aspiration to become a member of the European family was first documented.
Keywords: European Union, Georgia, post-Soviet period