PREEA Hosts Georgian Ambassador at Georgetown University

Panelists, from right to left:

• H.E. Vasil Sikharulidze, Ambassador of Georgia to the U.S.
• Matthew Bryza, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
• Cory Welt, Associate Director, Eurasian Strategy Project, Georgetown University
• James DeHart, Georgetown Professor

On January 29 PREEA hosted a panel discussion focused on the Republic of Georgia.

Georgian Ambassador to the United States, Vasil Sikharulidze, was the lead off speaker, discussing Georgia’s recent elections and U.S.-Georgian relations. Matthew Bryza, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, then provided an animated and informative account of U.S. perspective and policy with respect for the Caucasus. Professor Cory Welt, Associate Director of the Eurasian Strategy Project at Georgetown University, then discussed the status of democracy in Georgia and provided a critical account of local processes and progress, relative to neighboring transitional republics. Finally, Professor James Dehart, a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State and visiting fellow with Georgetown University’s Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, discussed issues pertaining to Georgia as a potential member of NATO.

Georgetown’s Masters of Science in Foreign Service program co-sponsored the event, providing its executive conference hall, which was filled to capacity with students representing programs throughout Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service, and also the McDonough School of Business. Several PREEA alumni also attended, along with their peers representing local government, academia, think tanks, and media interests.

PREEA will next host the Moldavian Ambassador – we hope you will join us!

You can view the original invitation here.

Photos DSC00050, DSC00054, DSC00059 courtesy of Rustavi 2 Broadcasting Company, ©2008