FM Botchorishvili at Dubai media summit: 8% growth counters ‘false narratives’ about Georgia

Georgia’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maka Botchorishvili has said the country’s economic growth of around 8% is the “best answer” to “false narratives” about Georgia, speaking at the Euronews Forum during the Arab Media Summit 2026 in Dubai.

“Georgia has the best economic growth in the region, in Europe, it’s around 8%, which is impressive and is the best answer to all the false narratives that we hear about Georgia,” Botchorishvili told the Euronews-moderated panel on Wednesday.

She stressed Georgia had faced a “massive disinformation campaign” in recent years, which she linked to the country’s geopolitical importance.

“Very often you will see different narratives flying around about Georgia, but the best message is to look at the numbers,” Botchorishvili said.

The minister highlighted Georgia’s strategic position between Europe and Asia and the importance of the Middle Corridor, saying it was more than a physical transport route and had broader implications for European security and prosperity.

Botchorishvili also addressed Georgia’s European aspirations, saying the country remained committed to EU accession while arguing that closer relations required “intensive dialogue and mutual respect.”

“European aspirations and identity are very deeply rooted in Georgia’s history and identity,” she said.

The official added that the South Caucasus should be taken into account in discussions about European security and prosperity, particularly in the context of possible EU enlargement.

Botchorishvili also identified the presence of Russian troops in Georgia’s regions as a major security threat, while saying the current geopolitical environment also created opportunities to preserve peace and stability, maintain economic development and strengthen international partnerships.

The Euronews Forum is being held for the first time as part of the Arab Media Summit and is the first edition of the forum to take place outside Europe. The 2026 Arab Media Summit is being held at Dubai World Trade Centre from 15 to 17 September.

The discussion also featured UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri and Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration. The forum was chaired by Pedro Vargas David, Chairman of Euronews and CEO of Alpac Capital.