On May 9, Georgia commemorates Europe Day, with a significant public event at Expo Georgia in Tbilisi set to mark over three decades of cooperation and shared values between the European Union and Georgia. This year’s celebration holds particular significance as Georgia continues its path toward EU membership, reflecting on past achievements and ever hopeful for future integration.
Last year, more than 15,000 people gathered at Expo Georgia on May 9 to celebrate Europe Day as an official candidate for European Union membership. Europe Day commemorates the 1950 Schuman Declaration, the founding moment of what became the European Union. In Georgia, it serves both as a celebration and a political reaffirmation of the country’s desire to deepen integration with Europe.
On May 9, 1950, then-French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed a radical new approach to European relations. By urging nations to pool their coal and steel production, he aimed to make future wars between them ‘not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible.’
This visionary idea served as the groundwork for what would become the European Union, a political and economic alliance now spanning 27 countries and 447 million citizens. Over the past 74 years, the EU has evolved into a powerful symbol of unity, cooperation, and peace. Its mission has remained consistent in bringing nations together through shared values, mutual support, and economic and political integration.
“Since 1950, the EU has been developing, working, uniting and ensuring peace and prosperity,” the European Union’s institutions declare, a mission still actively pursued across Europe and beyond.
A Day of Reflection and Celebration
The 2025 Europe Day event will commence at Expo Georgia at 12:00 in Pavilion 11, offering a comprehensive exploration of the EU–Georgia partnership through exhibitions, discussions, cultural programming, and interactive experiences. Organizers emphasize that this celebration is not only a reflection on shared history but also a demonstration of how EU support continues to shape everyday lives across Georgia—from innovation and youth empowerment to rural development and democratic engagement.
Event Highlights
• Team Europe Pavilion (Pavilion 6): Engage with representatives from EU Member States, learn about the EU Monitoring Mission, and discuss the European Investment Bank’s role in Georgia’s development.
• EU Project Space (Pavilion 11): Discover EU-funded initiatives supporting education, employment, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion.
• EU Talk – #ERTAD (Pavilion 4): Participate in public discussions with Georgian and European leaders on how EU values are shaping Georgia’s path forward.
• ‘10 Years in Focus’ Photo Exhibition (Pavilion 3): Experience a documentary photography showcase by EU Prize for Journalism winners, capturing a decade of transformation.
• Cultural & Culinary Programming: Enjoy interactive educational games, artisan showcases, cooking demonstrations, and regional food tastings.
‘Unique Georgian Taste’ Agrobazaar
As part of the Europe Day celebrations, the popular agrobazaar ‘Unique Georgian Taste’ will return on May 9 at Expo Georgia, near Pavilion 11, running from 12:00 to 20:00. The event will showcase niche Georgian food products, including meat and dairy goods, sweets, teas, honey, jams, sauces, and spices. Supported by the EU, Sweden, and Switzerland, all participating producers are part of FAO-led programs and have received training in food safety, business management, and labeling. Some have also received co-funding grants through the EU and Sweden’s ENPARD program. This is a celebration of Georgia’s rich culinary identity and a reflection of European cooperation in supporting local innovation.
A Historic Moment for Georgia
In 2024, Georgia celebrated its first Europe Day as a candidate for European Union membership. This milestone was a testament to the country’s commitment to democratic values and European integration. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has since expressed confidence that Georgia will achieve full EU membership by 2030, emphasizing that EU membership is Georgia’s primary foreign policy priority and that the country will contribute significantly to the EU’s continued success.
However, the path toward EU membership has been fraught with challenges. Last November, the Georgian government announced the suspension of EU accession talks until 2028, and rejected EU budgetary grants, citing alleged “blackmail” from European officials. This decision followed disputed parliamentary elections in October 2024, which the EU criticized as neither free nor fair. The EU had previously suspended €30 million in aid due to concerns over a controversial “foreign influence” law, which critics argued resembled Russian legislation used to stifle dissent.
Public Engagement and Civic Participation
Europe Day 2025 is not only a celebration but also an opportunity for public engagement and civic participation. In addition to the events at Expo Georgia, citizens are invited to gather at Europe Square at 19:00, with marches beginning at 17:00 from several key points in Tbilisi, including the Parliament of Georgia, Marjanishvili Square, Republic Square, and Avlabari Metro Station. This collective gathering underscores Georgia’s commitment to its European future and the shared values that bind it to the EU.
Europe Day 2025 in Georgia is a time to celebrate how far the country has come, the strong partnership with the European Union, and the shared hopes for the future. As Georgia moves closer to joining the EU, events like this highlight the importance of staying united, upholding democratic values, and keeping the vision of a European future alive.
By Team GT
