Georgian FM says Middle Corridor unimaginable without Georgia if EU serious about South Caucasus region

Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Wednesday said if the European Union seriously viewed the South Caucasus as part of the Middle Corridor, it was impossible to discuss the region’s connectivity or strategic importance without including Georgia.

In her interview with Imedi TV, Botchorishvili noted that when discussing relations with the European Union and broader connectivity initiatives, removing any country from the South Caucasus makes little sense.

“When we talk about relations with the European Union or connectivity, removing any one country from the South Caucasus makes no sense. That is precisely why it loses meaning when someone speaks about the South Caucasus while excluding one country”, she said.

“If the European Union seriously considers the South Caucasus region as the Middle Corridor, it is unimaginable to discuss it without Georgia”, she continued.

The minister further added that the Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan had provided information about ongoing discussions with the United States and Azerbaijan regarding the project and its possible implementation.

“Prime minister Nikol Pashinyan provided us with information on the discussions underway regarding this project with the United States and Azerbaijan, and in general how they envision its implementation, which is important”, Botchorishvili noted.

She underlined that regional stability and peace were essential prerequisites for the success of large-scale economic and connectivity projects.

“One thing clearly emphasised by both sides is that the region’s importance increases even further if we have alternative routes, which would attract more cargo and create more opportunities. In this context, stability and peace in the region are of primary importance, and these are very closely interconnected”, she said.

“When we speak about economic projects, of course, they are linked to very significant political steps. In this regard, I cannot fail to mention the agreement reached between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which plays a decisive role in the implementation of this economic project”, Botchorishvili concluded.