President Maia Sandu will participate in the 17th edition of the International Conference in Batumi, which will take place on July 19. The focus will be on the improved level of cooperation between the EU’s three associated partners – Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine – that recently formed an associated trio.

The focus is on the improved level of cooperation between the EU’s three associated partners – Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine – that recently formed an associated trio. The three partners are determined to accelerate the reforms needed for association agreements with the European Union, which contain deep and comprehensive free trade provisions. The three partners are preparing for the next stage of their European integration. The group will discuss the EU’s interest to further engage in the process of enhanced integration with the three Eastern European partners and will debate more on the European enthusiasm of the three countries and how the new format will complete the future Eastern Partnership.

The first topic on the agenda of the event is entitled: Three states – one choice: Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine in action.

What is the EU’s interest in engaging in the European integration of these three Eastern European partners?

How do the three partner partners intend to gain support to be perceived as potential candidates for EU membership?

In the second group, representatives of well-known think tanks will address the renewal of the traditional transatlantic dialogue and its possible development scenarios.

Discussions of a stronger EU autonomy from its traditional ally – the United States – or hypotheses about America’s declining interest in Europe, are raised by those who see these developments at the expense of global freedom and democracy. With a revived enthusiasm, traditional Atlantic allies have advanced relations around areas where cooperation has significant potential. Accordingly, the group will reflect on the emerging defining lines of the renewed transatlantic alliance, discuss whether support for democracy in the world will be part of the new transatlantic agenda, and cover those Eastern European nations outside the EU and NATO.

Over the years, the Batumi International Conference has emerged as a strategic platform for integrating common ideas, policies, and interests to deepen and strengthen existing relations between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries.