Georgian PM: Peace not only political choice but existential priority

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has reaffirmed that peace remains the country’s central priority, telling an international forum that Tbilisi seeks to provide a neutral and reliable space for dialogue in the South Caucasus.

Speaking at the plenary session of the International Forum themed “Peace and Trust: Unity of Purpose for a Sustainable Future, Kobakhidze said Georgia is firmly guided by a peaceful foreign-policy orientation and aims to contribute to regional stability, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

He stressed that building a sustainable future requires both dialogue and concrete action, arguing that the principles of peace and trust are not simply aspirational values but essential tools for maintaining global stability.

Kobakhidze also underlined the importance of regional cooperation, highlighting the Middle Corridor — the trans-continental route linking Europe and Asia — as a pathway that connects people, businesses and cultures.

He described it not merely as a transport network, but as a “corridor of trust” supporting wider geopolitical and economic cooperation across the region.

Turkmenistan has convened a major diplomatic gathering in Ashgabat to mark the 30th anniversary of its UN-recognised permanent neutrality. The International Forum for Peace and Trust, held on Friday, also forms part of preparations for the UN-designated International Year of Peace and Trust in 2025.

The event has drawn a prominent lineup of leaders, including Türkiye’s President Erdoğan, Russia’s President Putin, Iran’s President Pezeshkian, and senior representatives from Kazakhstan, Pakistan and China — highlighting the forum’s regional and geopolitical weight.

Turkmenistan’s unique neutral status, endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 1995, underpins the meeting. Officials say the forum aims to translate that legacy into contemporary efforts to promote dialogue and stability across the wider region.

By Aghakazim Guliyev