Georgia linking seven landlocked countries to Europe, PM Kobakhidze

Georgian PM Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said Georgia’s role as a bridge between landlocked countries and Europe strengthened its importance in regional connectivity and trade.

Speaking in Yerevan, where he attended the European Political Community summit, Kobakhidze said Georgia connects seven countries without access to the sea - including Armenia, Azerbaijan and Central Asian states - to the Black Sea and, by extension, to European markets.

He said this position increased Georgia’s strategic role within the so-called Middle Corridor, adding that the government aimed to maximise the country’s transit potential.

Kobakhidze noted that the region faced both challenges and opportunities, as it lies between ongoing conflicts, including the war between Russia and Ukraine, and instability in the Middle East.

He also highlighted ongoing infrastructure investments and plans to expand energy capacity, saying Georgia aims to increase electricity generation from 4,800 megawatts to 11,500 megawatts. This, he said, would allow the country to become self-sufficient and export electricity.

The PM further pointed to green energy and regional energy connectivity as key priorities, including the Black Sea submarine cable project, which he described as strategically important for linking the region with Europe.