A two-day forum opened in Tbilisi on November 5, focusing on the prospects for neutrality for Georgia and other South Caucasus nations. Participants include foreign experts critical of U.S. and Western policy, as well as analysts whose views on regional security align with the interests of Moscow.

The event was organized by the political movement "United Neutral Georgia," led by Vato Shakarashvili, and the international platform "Neutrality Studies." The program features 14 speakers. According to the forum’s description, it is a "practice-oriented research conference on the prospects, risks, and opportunities of neutrality in the South Caucasus, involving international researchers and geopolitical analysts."

Among those invited is Pascal Lottaz, head of Neutrality Studies, who advocates for a neutral status for both Georgia and Ukraine. In an October 13 article for *Netgazeti* titled "Georgian Neutrality: A Chance for Russia and Ukraine," he argued that if Tbilisi were to withdraw from NATO and EU security structures, it could foster regional stability and address the security demands previously articulated by Moscow.

At the forum itself, Lottaz stated that neutral states in Europe are facing pressure due to their reluctance to join the push toward confrontation with Russia.
"What we are seeing in Europe boils down to this: members of the bloc declare that Russia must be defeated. Those who do not align with this course are viewed as opponents. Consequently, countries are being pressured to abandon their neutrality." "Under these circumstances, it is entirely to be expected that interested parties would begin labeling neutral states as 'pro-Russian,'" he said.

Another international participant is Mohammad Marandi, a professor at the University of Tehran known for his criticism of U.S. foreign policy and Western assessments of the Iranian authorities' actions.

The Georgian side is represented by Petre Mamradze, Levan Nikoleishvili, Konstantin Zhgenti, and Lasha Kasradze. The latter appears on the Imedi TV channel as a political analyst and expert on international relations. At the forum, he argued that neutrality should be integrated into state institutions rather than remaining merely a political declaration.

"Neutrality, by definition, implies the development of a public demand for Georgia’s foreign policy to become significantly more pragmatic. The concept of neutrality must, step by step, acquire an institutional foundation," Kasradze noted.

Opening the discussion, Shakarashvili described neutrality as the most realistic and advantageous alternative for Georgia, given the current global balance of power. He also spoke out against the country’s Euro-Atlantic orientation.

"The notion that NATO and the European Union can guarantee Georgia’s security and progress is an absolute illusion—a relic of the past. Today, Euro-Atlantic integration has ceased to be a security shield and has instead become a major source of threats to our state," the politician declared.