Georgian PM underscores importance of Middle Corridor in Georgia-Azerbaijan cooperation

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday emphasised the importance of strengthening economic ties with Azerbaijan, identifying the expansion of Georgian exports, diversification of bilateral trade and increased investment as key priorities of the two countries’ strategic partnership.

“Economic cooperation is one of the key pillars of the strategic partnership between Georgia and Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is among Georgia’s largest trading partners, while the growing volume of bilateral trade reflects the continued deepening of economic ties”, he said.

Addressing the 11th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Georgia and Azerbaijan, Kobakhidze said Georgia aimed to build on the progress achieved so far by making better use of the export potential of Georgian products, further diversifying trade relations and encouraging greater investment.

“Alongside strengthening trade and economic ties, we attach particular importance to the development of the Middle Corridor, which connects Asia with Europe via the Caspian and Black Seas. Our shared goal is to further increase the capacity, efficiency and competitiveness of this route”, the Prime Minister said.

He noted that Georgia was implementing large-scale infrastructure projects to support this objective, including the construction of the East-West Highway. He added that the modernisation of Georgian Railways had been completed, while efforts to further expand the capacity of the railway network were ongoing.

Kobakhidze also highlighted the importance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, describing it as an integral part of the regional transport network.

“We are pleased to have successfully completed the implementation of this project. The Anaklia deep-sea port and the new Tbilisi International Airport projects will further enhance the country’s transit and logistics potential in the future, which is also important for the development of bilateral relations”, the Prime Minister concluded.