Georgia and Uzbekistan sign strategic partnership agreement

Georgia and Uzbekistan have signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement, formally elevating bilateral relations between the two countries.

The joint declaration was signed in Tbilisi by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during the latter's state visit to Georgia on Friday.

According to the Georgian government, Kobakhidze and Mirziyoyev first held a one-to-one meeting before leading expanded talks between members of the two governments.

The discussions focused on the “growing momentum” in bilateral relations, with both sides highlighting the significance of the first state visit to Georgia by an Uzbek president for deepening cooperation.

The agreement is intended to strengthen cooperation in political, economic, trade, investment, scientific, technical, cultural and humanitarian fields, according to the Georgian government.

Following the expanded meeting, the two countries also signed a series of memorandums of understanding covering cooperation in the economy, healthcare, environmental protection, agriculture, finance, customs, education, information and communication technologies, and culture.

The two sides also discussed expanding cooperation in transport and logistics, describing regional connectivity and infrastructure development as strategic priorities. They highlighted the importance of strengthening the Middle Corridor as a reliable and competitive transit route linking Europe and Asia.

Speaking after the talks, Kobakhidze said Georgia regarded Uzbekistan as "not only a reliable and important partner, but also a friend."

"The joint declaration on strategic partnership will elevate our relations to a new level and create new opportunities for cooperation in political, trade, economic, investment, scientific, technical, cultural and humanitarian fields," he said.

Kobakhidze also thanked Uzbekistan for its support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Mirziyoyev thanked the Georgian government for its hospitality and said the decision to elevate bilateral ties to the level of a strategic partnership marked "a major achievement".

He praised Georgia's recent economic performance, saying that despite global economic challenges, the country had achieved impressive results through the government's consistent policies.

"Georgia is an important partner and a reliable pillar for us in the South Caucasus. Cooperation between our two countries has been developing dynamically in recent years, and this is only the beginning," Mirziyoyev said.