Meeting with David Bakradze: from Georgian diplomacy to the lecture halls of ESPOL

Lille, April 2nd, 2026 — As part of the Erasmus+ programme, David Bakradze, Associate Professor at Caucasus University and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, spent an intensive week in Lille at ESPOL. In this interview, he and Michael Holmes, our Associate Professor, reflect on the deep-rooted academic ties between Georgia and France, and the unique value of regional perspectives in geopolitics.

To begin, could you introduce yourself and explain the purpose of your visit at ESPOL?

David Bakradze: I am David Bakradze, an Associate Professor at Caucasus University in Tbilisi, Georgia. Our university has a long-standing and significant history of cooperation with the Catholic University of Lille, particularly with ESPOL. I’m here representing the Caucasus School of Governance. Our institutions share very similar directions of interest, namely international relations, public administration, and politics. Through the Erasmus+ program, we facilitate annual exchanges of both students and professors.

What specific themes did you cover in your lectures this week?

David Bakradze: With the kind assistance of Professor Michael Holmes, I delivered several lectures focused on EU external action and foreign policy. We delved into security theories, the EU’s eastern flank, and the ongoing conflicts and peacemaking negotiations.

A major focus was the regional perspective. I believe a great asset of Erasmus+ is the ability to bring perspectives from different parts of the world. I tried to present issues like the war in Ukraine and energy independence through the lens of Georgia and the Black Sea region. We specifically discussed how Caspian energy resources can help diversify European energy supplies.

You have an extensive background in high-level politics. How does that influence your teaching?

David Bakradze: I have only been in academia for the last two years. Before that, I was a “political practitioner”. I joined the Foreign Ministry in 1996 and spent many years as a diplomat, eventually serving as Georgia’s Foreign Minister in 2008. I was also a member of Parliament for 20 years, serving as Speaker of Parliament and Leader of the Opposition. For me, international relations aren’t just theory; they were my daily life and job for decades. I chose to move to the academic side after the last elections.

Professor Holmes, how would you describe the relationship between ESPOL and your Georgian partners?

Michael Holmes: We have partnerships with three universities in Georgia, and they are incredibly popular with our students. I am always impressed by the quality and the political focus of the programs offered there. In fact, after hearing so much good feedback from students, I’ve put Georgia on my own list of places to visit through Erasmus+ staff mobility!

How was the interaction with the students in Lille?

David Bakradze: It was a very positive experience. The students were very active, asking many questions, which is always a good sign. While they are already very knowledgeable about the EU’s eastern flank, I think they found added value in talking to someone who is actually from that region.

Michael Holmes: It was actually quite a small world this week!

David Bakradze: Yes, it was amazing! On Monday, in my undergraduate class, I found two of my former French students who had spent a semester in Georgia. Then on Tuesday, in the master’s course, I found two of my former Georgian students who are now finishing their degrees here in Lille. Even on Wednesday morning, I ran into another one! Despite only being in academia for three years, I found a former student in almost every lecture hall. It is a testament to how intense and successful this exchange program really is.