The Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies at George Washington University and the Davis Center's Program on Georgian Studies invite you to a half-day symposium on the United States' Black Sea strategy and Georgia's pivotal role in European-Central Asian connectivity.
U.S. policymakers are navigating a new Black Sea strategy, acknowledging the need to better identify the region's role in U.S. strategic interests. The key point now is to understand how U.S. priorities around the Black Sea are connected to the wider region, with a particular emphasis on security, economic development, transit, and connectivity.
AGENDA
1:00 - 1:30 Coffee and conversation
1:30 - 1:35 Welcoming remarks by Henry Hale, George Washington University, and Stephen Jones, Harvard University
1:35 - 1:50 Remarks by Ambassador of Georgia to the United States David Zalkaliani
UPDATE: Recording of opening remarks now available.
1:50 - 3:30 Panel 1: Black Sea Security: Importance for the Littoral States and Beyond
Moderator: Stephen Jones
Michael Cecire, Senior Policy Adviser, U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission)
Iulia Joja, Senior Fellow and Director, Black Sea Program, Middle East Institute; Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University
Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, Visiting Fellow, Brookings Institution
UPDATE: Recording of Panel 1 now available.
3:30-3:45 Coffee break
3:45-5:00 Panel 2: Black Sea Connectivity: Energy and Economic Security
Moderator: Mamuka Tsereteli
Alexander Sokolowski, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Europe and Eurasia, USAID
Shomik Raj Mehndiratta, Practice Manager, Transport, Europe and Central Asia, The World Bank
Maia Omiadze, Head, National Tourism Administration of Georgia
UPDATE: Recording of Panel 2 now available.
Sponsorship
The Program on Georgian Studies is an activity of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University and is made possible by a sponsored research award from the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia.
This symposium is co-organized with the Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs.
Accessibility
The Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact us at 617-495-4037 or daviscenter@fas.harvard.edu in advance of your participation or visit. Requests for Sign Language interpreters and/or CART providers should be made at least two weeks in advance if possible. Please note that the Davis Center will make every effort to secure services but that services are subject to availability.
