On 18 November, the newly appointed Ambassador of France to Georgia, His Excellency Olivier Courtaud, visited Caucasus University.

The Ambassador delivered a lecture to CU students, speaking about France’s foreign policy priorities, the mission of diplomacy, contemporary challenges, and France’s key objective with regard to Georgia: to support the existence of an independent and sovereign Georgian state.

The Ambassador’s address generated great interest among the students. They asked questions about Georgia’s European integration, the future visa liberalization, and national security, as well as opportunities for cooperation in the field of education and the facilitation of study mobility. Students were also interested in France’s perspective on European and global security and ways to strengthen the resilience of democratic states.

During the visit, the Ambassador and the accompanying delegation were welcomed by the Dean of the Caucasus School of Governance, Mrs. Eka Akobia; the School’s invited lecturer and former Ambassador of Georgia to France, Mr. Gocha Javakhishvili; and the Deputy Director of the International Relations Department of Caucasus University, Ms. Ani Tavartkiladze.

The meeting included a discussion of the current state of cooperation between French higher education institutions and Caucasus University. Parties reviewed existing partnerships and future plans for deepening ties in the field of education.

As part of the visit, the Ambassador and his delegation also toured the University’s historic building and academic infrastructure.