Georgia to establish strategic partnership with Uzbekistan, FM says

Georgia and Uzbekistan are in talks to formalize a strategic partnership, marking what Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili described as a significant step toward elevating bilateral relations.

Botchorishvili made the remarks after welcoming Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at Tbilisi International Airport ahead of his official visit to the country. An official welcoming ceremony was held at the presidential palace in Tbilisi, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

"This is undoubtedly a historic opportunity to take relations between our countries to a new level. We are discussing the formalization of a strategic partnership so that our relations become even deeper and stronger," Botchorishvili said.

She emphasized Uzbekistan's growing importance in Central Asia, particularly in the context of the Middle Corridor, a key regional trade and transport route.

During his visit, Mirziyoyev is scheduled to hold high-level meetings with Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. The sides are expected to sign a broad package of bilateral agreements spanning multiple areas of cooperation.

The agenda of the visit is focused on further strengthening the Uzbek-Georgian friendship and expanding comprehensive bilateral cooperation. Discussions will cover practical steps to deepen political dialogue, enhance inter-parliamentary and interregional cooperation, broaden trade and economic ties, and promote cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

The parties are also expected to prioritize cooperation in industry, pharmaceuticals, the chemical sector, agriculture, tourism, energy, and information technology, while exploring new opportunities in transport and logistics to expand the geographical reach of Uzbekistan's exports.

In addition, the sides are expected to exchange views on current regional and international issues.

Georgia and Uzbekistan established diplomatic relations in August 1994. While Georgia does not maintain an embassy in Uzbekistan, its interests are covered by Uzbekistan's embassy in Azerbaijan. Georgia, for its part, operates an embassy in Tashkent.

By Vafa Guliyeva