“Europe is with us”

The Mission of Georgia to the European Union (EU), in collaboration with the European Neighbourhood Policy Chair of the College of Europe, Natolin campus (Warsaw), organised a half-day-long conference in the European Parliament on 11 May 2015 dedicated to a thorough analysis of the achievements, challenges, obstacles, and future prospects of the EU’s Eastern Partnership (EaP) and the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). Drawing on the initiative of Georgian, Moldovan and Ukrainian students of the College of Europe, the conference was attended by high-level speakers from Brussels-based institutions, EU member states, and prominent think tanks and (university) research centres, who discussed the future of the EaP in the context of the currently on-going review of the ENP and in view of the upcoming Riga Eastern Partnership Summit. Among others, the conference was attended by President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili.

We are delighted to offer you an inspiring piece - a welcoming address of a representative of the students of the College of Europe - Teona Lavrelashvili:

“Exactly 65 years ago, Schuman, the founding father of the European Union, wrote in the declaration - “World peace cannot be safeguarded without making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it”. In the light of contemporary security and economic challenges, these words become even more relevant today. However here we are in one of the greatest achievement of humankind - European Union, an achievement not only in the political and economic sense, but also from the perspectives of our mindset. Mindset of solidarity, mindset of common efforts and mindset of mutual progress. This is the way which Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova are following.

Ladies and Gentlemen, you all are well aware how these countries struggled for the European values. Georgia has experienced war in 2008; as a result, Georgian territories Abkhazia and the so-called South Ossetia are under Russian occupation, which is being expanded by further installation of artificial obstacles along the occupation line. Unfortunately, at that time Russia has not been stopped. Invasion has been continued in Ukraine, thousands of people died in this war, Crimea is annexed, Moldova is threatened by different political and economic instruments, yet despite these existential challenges we are here, together, united and ready to go further with Europe.

On this path, our countries have shown firm commitment to European values. These successes have been recently included in progress reports. We hope that declaration of Riga summit will clearly acknowledge European perspectives and endorsement of visa-free regime of Georgia and Ukraine, following the example of Moldova. Let me emphasize that the key reason for this desire does not lie in pragmatic political bargaining, or in principle of rational consequentiality, but there is a idea of Europe beyond it, wider and stronger Europe. Europe needs to be re-explored by people from EU neighborhood, far away due to technical obstacles. We, students of the College of Europe from Eastern Partnership countries, are one of the examples of youth filled by European spirit and ready to contribute to European society, but there are thousands of talented and enthusiastic youngsters, better than us, who are awaiting Europe’s decision to open door not to uncontrolled immigration, but to these bright minds, tourists and civil society actors to enrich Europe and boost its culture. Konrad Adenauer once noted, “When the world seems large, we need to remember that the great world ideals all begin in some home neighborhood”. Indeed countries of Eastern Partnership are added value for Europe, their people will bring benefits, reaped by democracy itself!

Before concluding, let me tell you a short story. In the College, we have the tradition of cultural days, when students present national traditions, including screening the movie. During our cultural evening, we watched a film called “In Bloom” that described Georgian society after the Soviet Union’s collapse - people and youth without a future. When the film ended, our Western European friends could not believe that we belonged to that generation. Yes, we belong to that generation, we paid a high price but we know what we paid for. And now you see Georgia standing up on democratic feet, together with Ukraine and Moldova. This would not be possible without courage, determination of the people and what is more important, hope for help from our European friends. So let me thank you for your commitment - we know we are not alone! In this fight of hope and misery, fight of past and future, we the young people firmly continue way of Europe. We strongly believe that this partnership, which is not directed against any country, will become closer as ever at Riga summit with the only winner - democracy, which will serve people of Europe!

I wish you successful discussion, please enjoy. Europe is with us.

Thank you very much.”

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