2025: A Year of European Bridges and Regional Resilience

From the Editor-in-Chief  ❄ We wish you joyful holidays and a very happy New Year! ❄  27.12.2025 (Caucasian Journal). The South Caucasus rarely stands still, and 2025 was no exception. For the Caucasian Journal, this year was about staying true to our mission while reinforcing resilience. We focused on bridging local realities with global perspectives, moving beyond surface-level headlines to host the conversations that truly matter — from high-stakes diplomacy and regional security to economic shifts and long-term societal change.
1. Geopolitics & Regional Cooperation: Navigating New Realities
The regional landscape shifted significantly in 2025, and the Caucasian Journal closely followed these developments. In August, we analysed the TRIPP framework (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity), presenting international perspectives on its implications for Georgia and the wider South Caucasus. This coverage is ongoing: contributions from Azerbaijani and Armenian experts are currently in preparation and will be published in January (check back soon!)
Our diplomatic coverage was further anchored by an in-depth interview in July with Ambassador Ashot Smbatyan. The Ambassador explored the "political peak" of Armenia–Georgia relations, offering a strategic look at how this bilateral partnership serves as a pillar of stability in terms of security and economic dimension. 2. European Integration: From Policy to Practice
A central theme of 2025 was "Europe"—not just as a destination, but as a set of standards and lessons.

• Professor Andreas Theophanous shared critical insights from Cyprus’s accession path, while Dr. Sebastian Schäffer (IDM, Vienna) discussed the prospects of European integration, including the impact of think tanks on the practical policies.
• Dr. Kai Purnhagen demystified EU food-safety laws, while Diana Păvelescu connected traditional viticulture with modern European norms.
• Professor Jeffrey Lazarus examined European healthcare models, while Sjur Bergan (Council of Europe) underscored the vital link between education quality and democratic development—a prerequisite for true integration.
• Finally, in December we launched our new “Visegrad Lessons for Georgia” expert seminar series in a V4+Georgia format. The initiative explores how the Visegrad Group has managed to sustain regional cooperation despite internal political differences. The results and key insights from these discussions will be published in winter–spring 2026.

3. Education as a Bridge: The Nordic Connection
Education remained a cornerstone of our editorial focus. Our "Nordic Talks" series became one of our most engaging multimedia initiatives, highlighting cooperation between Nordic countries, Georgia, and Armenia. In addition, Professor Inger Enkvist opened a critical conversation on Northern European educational models.
4. Society, Culture & Deep Analysis
CJ 2025 went beyond headlines to explore the fabric of society:

• Dr. Lasha Bregvadze provided a sobering analysis of the roots of organized crime, a topic often misunderstood by the public.
• Maestro Usui Toshiki shared his journey of building an artistic bridge between Japan and Georgia, proving that culture is often the most resilient form of international connection.
• We also looked ahead at environmental innovation, specifically the prospects for electric mobility in the Caucasus, highlighting our commitment to sustainable regional growth.

5. Business & Regional Development: The Economic Corridor
The journal served as a guide for those monitoring the region's economic potential.

• Our interview with Dr. Sadeddine Mneimne explored Georgia’s attractiveness to international investors following the Global Investors Forum in Tbilisi.
• Alkis Vryenios Drakinos (EBRD) weighed in on the strategic role of the South Caucasus in linking Europe and Asia, emphasizing the importance of regional infrastructure and economic corridors.

Closing Reflections
In 2025, CJ sharpened its focus on the crossroads of public policy, education, and culture. From conversations with figures linked to the European Capital of Democracy, such as Helfried Carl, to in-depth discussions with local experts on food law, education, and the arts, we continued to build a platform for informed, independent voices from the South Caucasus and beyond.
As we look toward 2026, the stakes for regional development have never been higher. In a world undergoing rapid transformation, the South Caucasus can no longer afford to stand on the platform, watching the train of progress pass by. The tracks, laid by the thought leaders and practitioners we feature, point toward a more integrated and resilient future. Our mission remains clear: to deliver the knowledge to do it—ensuring the region helps drive its own journey rather than merely watching it unfold. 
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