Georgian FM highlights EU accession as longstanding national aspiration at Delphi Economic Forum

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Wednesday participated in a panel discussion at the Delphi Economic Forum in Greece.

The discussion focused on global developments and their impact on national economies, Georgia’s role in regional connectivity, the country’s relationship with the European Union, and current security challenges, the Georgian foreign office said.

In her remarks, Botchorishvili highlighted the positive economic growth trajectory Georgia had achieved as a result of comprehensive reforms implemented by the Government.

The Minister noted that Georgia currently has 16 free trade agreements, which open up important economic opportunities and create an attractive environment for investment.

She also underscored Georgia’s role as a key trade hub not only for Europe but also for Central Asia and the Black Sea region.

Botchorishvili drew attention to Georgia’s strategic location, stressing the country’s historical and ongoing role as a bridge between Europe and Asia.

She spoke about Georgia’s involvement in major regional projects aimed at enhancing connectivity between the two continents and highlighted the strategic importance of the Black Sea in regional development.

During the discussion, the Foreign Minister also addressed Georgia’s European integration process, stating that EU membership is a long-standing aspiration of the country, enshrined in the Constitution.

She outlined the significant steps Georgia had taken toward European integration, including the implementation of extensive reforms to align with EU standards, positioning Georgia as a regional leader in this regard.

The FM further discussed attempts to exploit the topic of EU integration for domestic destabilisation and responded to questions concerning the current situation in Georgia.

Botchorishvili also mentioned Georgia’s security challenges, emphasising that the occupation of Georgian territories by Russia remains the country’s primary threat.

She highlighted the importance of the Geneva International Discussions and the peaceful resolution of the conflict.