PM Kobakhidze denies Georgian involvement in ‘customs terminal’ project near Enguri bridge

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze dismissed reports suggesting possible Georgian participation in the construction of a customs terminal near the Enguri Bridge in the Russian-occupied Gali district, calling the claims “speculation,” during a briefing at the Government Administration on Wednesday.

Kobakhidze emphasised that Georgia does not recognise any so-called state border in the area and has taken no steps toward involvement in the project. He referenced an earlier agreement under the previous government, in which Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization included a provision for the creation of cargo transit via Swiss mediation, but noted that the matter has remained inactive since then.

“All of this is speculation. There is no initiative from our side in this direction,” Kobakhidze said, confirming that Georgia will not transport goods through Russia.

The project had recently been discussed by Astamur Akhsalba, general director of a transit-logistics company and head of the Eurasian Integration Platform World Assembly of Peoples, created under the initiative of the Russian president. Akhsalba acknowledged that information about the terminal on the Enguri River had been deliberately withheld due to the complex geopolitical situation and ongoing war, with Western opposition to Russia.

According to Akhsalba, the terminal would handle primarily consumer goods, such as household appliances and vegetables. Transit vehicles, including from Iran, would be able to enter the occupied territory, unload cargo at the railway terminal near Ochamchire, and then continue under appropriate control if necessary. The route is intended for countries such as Iran, India, and Azerbaijan seeking shorter access to southern Russian regions, including Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar, and Sochi.