Deepening strategic alliance in presidential discussions: Georgia and Turkey reinforce ties
President Mikheil Kavelashvili's recent visit to Turkey marked a significant milestone in the strong and growing strategic partnership between the two nations. During his meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in various sectors, including trade, economics, transport, and energy.
Trade-Economic Cooperation
Turkey has been Georgia's largest trading partner for many years, with bilateral trade volume exceeding $3 billion recently. Both countries aim to increase this figure to $5 billion. Over 2,000 Turkish companies operate in Georgia, particularly in construction and infrastructure projects, with over 300 large-scale projects worth billions already implemented. There is also active promotion of mutual investments and collaboration in the defense and military sectors, seen as key for further strengthening bilateral ties.
Transport Cooperation
The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway, often referred to as the "backbone of the Middle Corridor," is a critical east-west trade route linking Asia and Europe. This railway project, launched in 2017 and spanning 826 km, plays a vital role in regional transport infrastructure and economic integration. The BTK railway is now operating at full capacity, facilitating trade between Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, as well as broader Eurasian connectivity.
Energy Cooperation and Infrastructure Projects
The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline are key strategic energy corridors that enable Azerbaijan’s oil and natural gas exports to Turkey and beyond, with Georgia as a transit country. These pipelines contribute to regional energy security and cooperation, with Georgia and Turkey benefiting from transit fees and strengthened energy ties. The Southern Gas Corridor, part of this energy network, is significant for transporting Caspian energy resources to European markets, enhancing diversification of energy sources and routes.
Future Outlook
Both countries have pledged to further deepen strategic cooperation in economic development, trade expansion, and infrastructure integration. They plan to increase bilateral trade significantly, push joint investments, and expand cooperation in defense and security sectors. The trilateral relationship among Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan remains a core pillar for regional peace, stability, and economic cooperation, including plans for more frequent multilateral meetings of foreign ministers and parliamentary speakers.
In summary, the Georgia-Turkey strategic partnership is robust and oriented toward growth in trade, energy, and transport infrastructure, anchored around projects like the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, and the Southern Gas Corridor, with strong commitments for future cooperation and regional integration. Turkey is identified as Georgia's number one trading partner, and in discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Kavelashvili placed emphasis on prospects for deepening regional, trade-economic, and transport-energy cooperation. The leaders of both nations emphasized the importance of the Middle Corridor and several infrastructure projects. The visit of Mikheil Kavelashvili to Turkey was his first official visit as President of Georgia.
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[2] Trend News Agency (2022). Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway operating at full capacity. [online] Available at: https://trend.az/baku-tbilisi-kars-railway-operating-at-full-capacity/3335397
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[5] Daily Sabah (2022). Georgia's Kavelashvili hails Turkey as strategic partner, discusses bilateral ties. [online] Available at: https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/georgias-kavelashvili-hails-turkey-as-strategic-partner-discusses-bilateral-ties
- The committal of both Georgia and Turkey to deepen cooperation extends to the field of finance, with plans to boost bilateral trade from $3 billion to $5 billion, and the encouragement of mutual investments and collaboration in the defense sector.
- In the sector of energy, significant strategic energy corridors like the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipelines, with Georgia as a transit country, contribute to the regional energy security and facilitate the export of Azerbaijan's oil and natural gas to Turkey and beyond.
- Amidst the ambitious plans for future cooperation, the leaders at the highest level acknowledge the pivotal role of the Middle Corridor, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, in regional trade and economic integration, emphasizing the importance of these infrastructure projects for broadening Eurasian connectivity.
