Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili has reiterated her country’s vision of transforming the Black Sea into a strategic bridge connecting Georgia and the European Union, calling for increased investments to realize the goal, Georgia’s foreign office reported on Tuesday.
Speaking at the high-level Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, Botchorishvili emphasized Georgia’s “historical role as a vital link” between East and West.
“Georgia may be a small country, but it is positioned at a critical geopolitical crossroads. This creates new opportunities that require wisdom and foresight to be effectively utilized,” Botchorishvili said during a panel discussion titled ‘Competition and Cooperation to Secure the Future’.
The FM further highlighted Georgia’s “longstanding commitment” to regional connectivity, dating back to the Silk Road era. Since gaining independence from the Soviet Union, she noted, the country had “actively sought to restore and strengthen this role in the modern world.”
Botchorishvili also underscored the importance of Georgia’s partnerships with neighboring countries, particularly Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as its strategic alliances with Europe. She pointed to key infrastructure and energy projects that continue to play a “crucial role in strengthening European security and integration.”
“Today, we have real opportunities to achieve this goal, but it requires active work and investment. Together, we can implement large-scale projects that will benefit Europe,” she said, stressing that Georgia considers itself an integral part of Europe.
One of the key topics discussed was the Middle Corridor – a trade and transport route linking Asia with Europe via the South Caucasus. Botchorishvili highlighted its development as a priority for Georgia, reaffirming the government’s commitment to investing in infrastructure and maximizing the corridor’s potential.
However, the FM also addressed ongoing security concerns, particularly the occupation of two Georgian regions by Russia. She described this as a serious challenge for regional stability but emphasized that Georgia’s response lay in economic development and reforms.
“Peace and security remain essential. Georgia has always supported the peace efforts of its neighbors, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and we welcome their recent agreement. However, the Russian occupation of two of our regions continues to pose a threat. Our answer to these challenges must be economic growth, governance reforms, and resilience,” she said.
Georgia has consistently ranked highly in global indices for ease of doing business, transparency, and anti-corruption, achievements Botchorishvili attributed to the government’s reform efforts over the past decade.
The panel discussion was attended by high-profile figures, including Slovenia’s Deputy Prime Minister Tanja Fajon, Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El Khatib, UK National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell, and Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Moderated by Samir Saran, President of the Observer Research Foundation, the session provided a platform to discuss the future of global cooperation in an evolving geopolitical landscape.
The Raisina Dialogue, organized by India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation, is one of the leading international conferences on geopolitics and security. This year’s event was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
