Parliament Speaker Papuashvili addresses 66th PABSEC General Assembly, highlights peace and connectivity in Black Sea region

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili delivered a keynote address at the 66th General Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC), thanking participants for their commitment to regional cooperation, dialogue, and sustainable development.

Papuashvili noted that recent years have been the most challenging for BSEC, as the war in Ukraine and its repercussions in the Black Sea region have had a significant impact on the organization’s work.

“Despite these challenges, we have maintained the organization’s functioning and used this unique format to promote dialogue, exchange, and meaningful results for our countries and the region,” he said.

He highlighted the growing strategic, economic, and security importance of the Black Sea region, which connects Europe and Asia and has historically served as a crossroads of civilizations. 

Papuashvili stressed that peace was the fundamental prerequisite for stability, development, and prosperity. He emphasized that a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine is essential not only for Ukrainians but also for the stability of Europe and the Black Sea region.

Papuashvili also highlighted the historic opportunity for the region to achieve sustainable peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, noting that progress in this area was already transforming the security landscape of the South Caucasus and unlocking significant economic potential. He welcomed steps toward the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey as well.

Focusing on connectivity, Papuashvili highlighted key initiatives that could play a transformative role - physical, digital, economic, and human connectivity should be central to regional cooperation. The Middle Corridor, he claimed, has become a key fast, efficient, and secure route, while flagship projects such as the Black Sea submarine power cable, optical fiber cable, and maritime services can significantly enhance regional connectivity. Papuashvili stressed Georgia’s commitment to accelerating these initiatives.

He also expressed gratitude to the BSEC Project Development Fund (PDF) for funding the Georgia-Turkey-Bulgaria joint project, Blue Port Index for BSEC Countries, which aims to increase the efficiency of Black Sea ports.

Papuashvili highlighted Georgia’s dedication to parliamentary diplomacy and close cooperation with PABSEC member states.

“We believe that dialogue and cooperation ensure stability, and stability fosters development. Georgia chairs both PABSEC and BSEC with a sense of responsibility and determination, contributing to the assembly’s mission. Our chairmanship will focus on enhancing connectivity, promoting economic cooperation, and strengthening parliamentary diplomacy,” Papuashvili said.

He concluded by emphasizing Georgia’s readiness to leverage parliamentary diplomacy to make the region distinguished by cooperation and opportunity, and expressed anticipation for close collaboration with member states, the permanent international secretariat, and other BSEC structures to achieve the organization’s shared goals.