European Integration Committee Chair: ‘geography can’t be ignored, dialogue with Georgia is essential’

Chair of Parliament’s European Integration Committee, Levan Makhashvili, on Sunday said Georgia’s geographical position makes dialogue with the country unavoidable when it comes to strategically important regional issues.

Makhashvili added Georgia plays a key strategic role in the European Union’s relations with Central Asia, the development of the Middle Corridor and broader trade routes linking East and West.

He pointed to what he described as a “very interesting and noteworthy” study published by the EU itself, specifically by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood. In his view, the document serves as “the best response” to European officials who, he said, sometimes criticise Georgia unfairly.

“They may ignore Georgia in political statements, but geography cannot be ignored. When it comes to the EU’s relations with Central Asia, the Middle Corridor, the development of trade routes and connecting the West and the East, Georgia has a strategically crucial and key role in this process — especially in the energy, digital and transport-logistics sectors,” Makhashvili stated.

He said the study should be seen as an encouragement for the EU to engage in dialogue with Georgia on issues of mutual importance.

Makhashvili added that the Georgian authorities are working actively to develop the trade corridor, including building infrastructure and harmonising regulations to make the movement of business and goods between West and East easier. He cited railway and port development among the priorities.

“The only thing missing is normal, strategically sound decisions from the EU side — namely, engagement in dialogue with Georgia. We hope this study is one good first step towards constructive relations,” he said.