Georgian Parliament official says Georgia-Azerbaijan route has no viable alternative

While others talk about ideas, we implement specific projects, said on Monday Levan Makhashvili, the chair of the Georgian Parliament’s European integration committee, while discussing the projects serving to develop the Middle Corridor route.

In his interview with Imedi TV, Makhashvili noted that the Georgia-Azerbaijan route has no viable alternative.

“The ports of Batumi and Poti have been expanded, and the Anaklia port project serves the same purpose - enabling us to handle increased cargo volumes under growing demand. We are also planning to build a new airport. Each of these initiatives is designed to ensure that while others are still discussing ideas, we are already able to move cargo through concrete projects. That is why we often say that regardless of any alternative route - including proposals involving southern Armenia - Georgia’s existing infrastructure makes it strong enough not to fear competition. We have also repeatedly heard statements from the Azerbaijani president that, regardless of developments, the Georgia-Azerbaijan route remains irreplaceable”, he said.

“If we look at the strategic documents of the European Union, there is direct recognition that without the Georgia-Azerbaijan corridor, no other infrastructure can substantially change the situation. There are already specific pipelines along this route, including Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum, and others”, Makhashvili concluded.