It is a great honor to address you today at the 66th PABSEC General Assembly. I extend my gratitude to each of you for your participation in today`s meeting, which demonstrates your commitment to regional cooperation, dialogue, and sustainable development, Speaker of the Parliament addressed the 66th PABSEC General Assembly.

As noted by Shalva Papuashvili, recent years have been among the most challenging for BSEC - the Russian war against Ukraine and the subsequent developments in the Black Sea region have had a significant impact on the organization`s functioning: “Nevertheless, despite these difficulties, we have managed to maintain the functioning of the organization and to utilize this unique format to promote dialogue, exchanges, and outcomes of importance for our countries and the region. In recent years, the strategic, economic, and security significance of the Black Sea region has increased markedly. Our geographic space, which connects Europe and Asia, has always been a crossroads of civilizations. Today, despite numerous challenges and a complex geopolitical environment, we must consolidate our efforts across all areas of cooperation that will make our region more stable, secure, and developed. In this regard, peace is the most fundamental precondition. Lasting peace is not merely a desirable condition; it is the very foundation upon which prosperity, resilience, and shared growth must be built. A just and sustainable peace in Ukraine is essential not only for the Ukrainian people, but also for safeguarding the stability of Europe and the Black Sea region. Therefore, we reaffirm our support for all efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive peace based on international law and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. I would also like to underscore the historic opportunity before our broader region: the ongoing efforts toward achieving a sustainable peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Peace on the ground has already been achieved, transforming the security landscape of the South Caucasus and unlocking vast potential for the entire Black Sea region in terms of economic development and connectivity. We also welcome the steps taken toward the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey".

The Speaker further highlighted initiatives that may play a transformative role in enhancing regional connectivity.

"We believe that connectivity - physical, digital, economic, and human - must be one of the central pillars of our cooperation. In this context, the Middle Corridor has emerged as a fast, efficient, and secure route of strategic importance. We stand ready to advance infrastructure, harmonize relevant policies, and strengthen partnerships in order to enhance its capacity and competitiveness. Flagship initiatives such as the Black Sea submarine power cable, the fiber-optic cable, and Black Sea ferry services may play decisive roles in the field of connectivity. We are firmly committed to accelerating the implementation of these initiatives. Additionally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the BSEC Project Development Fund (PDF) for financing the trilateral Georgia–Turkey–Bulgaria project, `Blue Port Index for BSEC Countries,` officially launched in September. We strongly support this project, as we see its potential to enhance the efficiency of Black Sea ports", - he stated.

The Speaker also spoke about close cooperation with PABSEC member states and the role of parliamentary diplomacy: "We are convinced that dialogue and cooperation foster stability, and stability, in turn, promotes development. It is precisely in this spirit that Georgia assumes the presidency of PABSEC and BSEC. We undertake this responsibility with great dedication and unwavering resolve to contribute to the fulfillment of the Assembly`s mission. Georgia`s presidency will focus on enhancing connectivity, promoting economic cooperation, and strengthening parliamentary diplomacy. We look forward to close cooperation with PABSEC member states, the Permanent International Secretariat, and other BSEC structures to achieve the organization`s common objectives. We are ready to harness the potential of parliamentary diplomacy so that our region may stand out for cooperation and opportunity".