FM Botchorishvili: Georgia is a stable country with strategic ties to all neighbours

Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili on Friday said the country remains a stable state maintaining strategic relations with all its neighbours, highlighting its growing importance for European security and connectivity.

Speaking at a panel discussion within the framework of the Munich Security Conference, Botchorishvili said the world was living through a period of change that made the region increasingly significant.

“We are living in a time of transformation, which makes our region even more important. If we look at connectivity and what is happening around us, we understand that this issue is critically important. In this process, we are working together with our neighbours — Azerbaijan and Turkey. The normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan also opens new opportunities for the region,” she said.

Botchorishvili stressed that Georgia serves as a bridge between Europe and Asia, a role that has gained additional relevance following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“Georgia is a route connecting Europe and Asia, which is important for the European Union. Especially after Russia launched the war in Ukraine, the corridor passing through Georgia has become part of Europe’s security architecture,” she noted.

The Minister said Georgia’s economy continued to grow steadily and pointed to the country’s strategic partnerships in the wider region.

“We are a stable country with strategic relations with all our neighbours except Russia, as 20 percent of our territory remains occupied, which poses serious security challenges for the region,” Botchorishvili said.

She added that Georgia had created a favourable investment environment and currently has 16 free trade agreements, including with the European Union, China, Central Asian countries and the United Arab Emirates, while negotiations are ongoing with other states.

Botchorishvili also underlined the importance of cooperation in the Black Sea region, particularly with Romania and Bulgaria, and referred to discussions on a Black Sea submarine cable project aimed at connecting the region with Europe. She highlighted energy cooperation with Azerbaijan as a key element of Europe’s energy security.

“Once again, we are the route that connects regions,” she stated.