In the interview with Imedi TV, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia said that no one could replace Georgia’s function and importance, calling it “smile-inducing” when the EU speaks about connectivity and organises events without inviting the main country through which such connectivity is achieved.

“Azerbaijani President’s visit to Georgia was particularly important in the context of developing the Middle Corridor and strengthening connectivity between Europe and Asia. Meeting between Ilham Aliyev and Bidzina Ivanishvili [Founder/Honorary Chairman of the Georgian Dream] was also significant. Georgia had actively engaged with Central Asian countries, including Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, we also plan visits to Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, aiming to intensify cooperation with all five countries in the region… Azerbaijan has recently joined this format, effectively transforming it into a six-country cooperation platform.

Azerbaijan’s transit role is unimaginable without Georgia… Georgia had not lost anything and that its role could not be substituted.

It is quite smile-inducing when the European Union talks about connectivity, organizes events, and the main country through which this connectivity is achieved is not even invited to the table. In this case, only Europe stands to lose.

Georgia has unique advantages, including access to the sea, which as a significant asset. These opportunities should be further utilized in cooperation with neighboring and partner countries.

Any speculation about Georgia’s role reflects a lack of understanding, a simple look at the map clearly shows the role Georgia plays in regional cooperation”, - said Maka Botchorishvili.