McCain Institute co-hosts high-level international conference in Tbilisi

The Georgian capital of Tbilisi is hosting a two-day international conference organised by the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University and the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC).

The annual conference - A World in Flux: The Future of Democracy, Transatlantic Relations, Europe and the Middle East” – was opened yesterday with the participation of Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili.

Kvirikashvili talked about the ongoing processes in the country and the priorities the government has defined and is trying to achieve.

"I think that we have achieved significant progress. Thanks to the achievements during the past seven years, I think that we have the most important advancement in terms of human rights protection”, Kvirikashvili said, adding that the judiciary has also improved compared to what it was like five years ago.

Kvirikashvili stressed that the good pace of European and Euro-Atlantic integration remains the top priority of the government.

"To ensure this, we need to implement a range of reforms, including political and constitutional ones. We need to adopt a more democratic election code, and follow the agenda of our four-point reform plan”, he said.

Watch the full talk below.

The annual Tbilisi International Conference provides a unique platform and brings together experienced political and security leaders from the United States, Western Europe, Georgia and the wider Euro-Atlantic community to discuss the vision of a Europe whole, free and at peace; the challenges facing Europe’s eastern nations; and strategies to move forward.

This year’s conference is built on the previous year’s discussion on NATO and Black Sea regional security, while taking a more in-depth look at Georgia’s geopolitical compass: in addition to traditional areas of the scope to the West and North, particular attention is devoted towards its South and East direction.

With high-level speakers from the United States, Europe and regional countries, the conference addresses US foreign policy under President Donald Trump and its implication on political processes in Europe and its neighborhood and the Middle East. Particular emphasis is given to security and NATO’s role.