Forum: Bridging divides—Georgia, the European Union, and the challenges of cooperation amid conflicts

This forum examines the recent evolution of the relationship between Georgia and the European Union (EU), which has developed over the past 35 years. In December 2023, the European Council granted Georgia candidate status alongside Moldova and Ukraine, against the backdrop of Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine. However, in late 2024, amid a deep political crisis in the country and EU criticisms of the Georgian Dream party’s legislative victory, the Georgian government froze EU accession negotiations until 2028, intensifying protests. The contributions of this forum draw on qualitative data from interviews, focus groups, and observations, as well as analysis of policy documents and discourse. They investigate the EU’s role in Georgia’s geopolitical landscape, focusing on the Georgian Dream party’s policy shift since 2022 and the critical role of civil society in shaping Georgia–EU relations. Beyond its political dimension, the relationship is characterized by extensive technical cooperation, and the forum delves into waste management and territorial development in more detail. In addition, the EU’s involvement in Georgia’s unresolved conflicts with Abkhazia and South Ossetia is explored, particularly its role as a mediator among conflicting sides and supporter of civil society actors within and across territorial divisions. Overall, this special forum documents and analyzes the complex and non-linear dynamics of the Georgia–EU relationship, shedding light on its political, technical, and conflict-related dimensions.