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German Marshal Fund Study Tour

On October 25-29 Rondeli Foundation and the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation/German Marshall Fund of the US organized a study visit of a mixed delegation of European, American, and Canadian government officials, experts, and journalists on the eve of the last direct Presidential elections, which were held on October 28.

The tour provided a firsthand knowledge to the group of opinion makers about the political, security, economic and social situation in the country, contribute to the informed policy decisions regarding Georgia and raise the country’s profile on the international arena through objective assessment. In addition, to get an update on Georgia’s reform process towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration and challenges from ongoing Russian attempt at imperial resurgence.

The discussions and meetings during the pre-election study tour facilitated an exchange of ideas between the participants of the visit and the high level representatives of the government and the parliament of Georgia, presidential candidates, high hierarchy of Holy Synod, think-tank and watchdog organizations, media and business representatives, diplomatic missions and international organizations present in Georgia.  The study tour participants also had the opportunity to take part in the presidential elections as international observers.