EU Awareness Centre Participates in Vienna Roundtable on the South Caucasus

Vienna, 3 July 2026 – The EU Awareness Centre participated in the closed-door expert roundtable, “The South Caucasus in Transition: Connectivity, Regional Cooperation, and European Perspectives,” hosted by the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM) in Vienna.

The discussion brought together experts and practitioners from across Europe and the South Caucasus to examine the region’s evolving geopolitical landscape, prospects for regional cooperation, connectivity initiatives, and the role of European engagement in promoting long-term stability.

Representing the EU Awareness Centre, David Dondua contributed to the discussion by highlighting the growing challenge of Russian hybrid warfare in Georgia’s information space. He noted that pro-Russian actors and the ruling Georgian Dream increasingly promote the narrative that Georgia’s European choice was externally imposed, while presenting “state neutrality” as a supposedly safer alternative to European integration. Ambassador Dondua stressed that neutrality is not a realistic strategic option for Georgia. Given the country’s geography, security environment, and historical experience, abandoning the European path would ultimately increase dependence on Russia rather than strengthen sovereignty.

The roundtable provided an important opportunity for an open exchange of views on the future of the South Caucasus and on how European partners can support locally driven cooperation, stability, and resilience in the region.