On November 24-25, 2016, Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) hosted a Russia-Georgia expert meeting on Russia-Georgia cooperation in the area of security. The event was held within the framework of the RIAC and International Center on Conflict and Negotiation (ICCN) (Georgia) project «Assistance to Russia-Georgia Dialogue» with the support of the Human Security Division of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland.
On November 24-25, 2016, Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) hosted a Russia-Georgia expert meeting on Russia-Georgia cooperation in the area of security. The event was held within the framework of the RIAC and International Center on Conflict and Negotiation (ICCN) (Georgia) project «Assistance to Russia-Georgia Dialogue» with the support of the Human Security Division of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland.
The Russian delegation included Ivan Timofeev, Director of Programs, Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC); Timur Makhmutov, Deputy Director of Programs, RIAC; Andrey Areshev, research fellow at RAS Institute of Oriental Studies; Vladimir Evseev, Deputy Director, CIS Institute; Alexander Krylov, President, Society of Caucasian Studies Experts; Ruslan Mamedov, Program Assistant, RIAC; Sergey Markedonov, Associate Professor, Department of Regional Studies and Foreign Policy, Russian State University for the Humanities; Vadim Mukhanov, Senior Fellow, Caucasus Problems and Regional Security Center at the MGIMO University; Alexander Eliseev, Program Coordinator, RIAC. Ahmet Yarlykalov, Senior Research Fellow, Caucasus Problems and Regional Security Center at the MGIMO University, was coordinating the Russian focus group.
The Georgian experts included: Nina Tsikhistavi-Khutsishvili, Board Chairwoman, ICCN; Mamuka Areshidze, Coordinator of project «Assistance to Russia-Georgia Dialogue», ICCN; Levan Abashidze, Expert, State Agency for Religious Issues; Zaal Anjaparidze, Independent Expert, Political Scientist; Arnold Stepanyan, Chairman, Multinational Georgia Public Movement; Irakli Chikhladze, Editor in Chief, Information Online Portal newcaucasus.com; Yulia Adelkhanova, «Assistance to Russia-Georgia Dialogue» Program Manager, ICCN; Mariam Kalandarishvili, «Assistance to Russia-Georgia Dialogue» Program Assistant, ICCN. Irakli Menagarishvili, Director, Strategic Research Centre, was moderating the work o the Georgian focuss group.
The participants discussed the Caucasus and the Middle East mutual influence issues, security along the borders of Russia, Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia in particular, the results of the parliamentary elections in Russia and in Georgia, separatism and isolation issues, as well as radicalism, fundamentalism, and extremism issues in both countries. Special attention during the meeting was given to joint actions against recruitment issues and militants returns. The discussion was aiming to find practical solution to help Russia and Georgia overcome the existing disagreements.
As a result of the meeting, Russian and Georgian experts prepared some joint recommendations to be sent to the relevant ministries and institutions.
Russia-Georgia expert meeting
