Georgia Europe’s only land route to the East, PM

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has described Georgia and the wider South Caucasus as Europe’s only remaining land gateway to the East, saying Tbilisi is ready to expand cooperation with the European Union on regional connectivity.

Speaking to Georgian journalists in Ireland on Thursday, where he is attending the ninth European Political Community (EPC) summit, Kobakhidze said geopolitical developments had disrupted Europe’s traditional transport and economic routes towards the East.

He pointed to Russia’s economic isolation from Europe following the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East as factors affecting connectivity between Europe and Asia.

“Georgia’s role in this regard is crucial. Unfortunately, routes towards the East have been closed off for Europe. The South Caucasus, and Georgia in particular, remains the only land gateway towards the East,” Kobakhidze said.

He added that Georgia was ready to cooperate with European partners and the EU on developing these connections, saying the issue would also be discussed during meetings with European leaders.

Kobakhidze said he would address the summit in a roundtable format, which he also intended to use for bilateral discussions with other leaders.

“We participate in the European Political Community summit. We will deliver remarks in the roundtable format, which we also use for bilateral meetings and discussions with leaders,” he said.

The ninth EPC summit is being held in Dublin on 12 November.