Georgia welcomes neighbourly rapprochement as key trade route expands

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has welcomed the restoration of relations between neighbouring countries, saying it supports growing trade and reinforces Georgia’s role as a key transit hub.

Kobakhidze said freight volumes along the Middle Corridor — a major trade route linking Asia and Europe — had increased sevenfold over the past five years, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

He rejected claims that Georgia’s transit function was weakening, describing such assessments as detached from reality.

“We welcome the restoration of relations between our neighbours and the development of trade and economic ties between them,” Kobakhidze said.

“As for Georgia’s transit role, we are making very large investments in its development.”

He pointed to major spending on road infrastructure, ports, airports and other transport facilities, adding that these projects were driven by positive expectations of sustained growth in transit traffic.

The Middle Corridor has gained strategic importance in recent years as an alternative route for cargo moving between Europe and Asia, passing through the South Caucasus and the Caspian region.

Georgian officials say continued infrastructure investment will further strengthen the country’s position as a regional logistics and transport hub.

By Aghakazim Guliyev