Georgia, Türkiye discuss expansion of maritime cooperation

Georgia and Türkiye see significant potential to deepen their already successful cooperation in the maritime sector, Economy and Sustainable Development Minister of Georgia, Mariam Kvrivishvili, said in London.

Kvrivishvili is attending the 34th session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly, held from November 24 to December 3, together with a Georgian delegation, Caliber.Az reports per Sputnik Georgia.

During the visit, she met with Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu to discuss coordination within the IMO framework, Black Sea security and stability, the development of ferry services between the two countries, and other key issues.

The two ministers highlighted the many successful dimensions of economic partnership between Georgia and Türkiye, noting that cooperation in the maritime sphere is already active and holds further room for growth.

They discussed prospects for new ferry routes and joint research that could strengthen tourism and broader economic ties.

Talks also covered energy transition and digitalisation in the maritime sector, maritime education and workforce training, cooperation in hydrography, shipbuilding expertise exchange, and other areas aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation and enhancing regional maritime governance.

Georgia and Türkiye are strategic partners that have maintained diplomatic relations since May 21, 1992, cooperating across trade, economy, energy, regional security, and education.

The countries also actively cooperate both bilaterally and within international projects, particularly those of strategic importance for the entire region — the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway, the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan oil pipeline, and the Southern Gas Corridor.

Türkiye ranks first among Georgia’s major trading partners. Foreign trade turnover with the neighbouring country reached $3.2 billion in 2024, accounting for 13.8% of Georgia’s total trade.

By Jeyhun Aghazada