PM: Georgia's peaceful policy towards Russia remains unchanged

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has reaffirmed his country's commitment to a peaceful policy regarding its relationship with Russia, despite ongoing territorial disputes between the two nations.

Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Kobakhidze emphasised Georgia’s continued adherence to a peaceful approach in its diplomatic stance toward Russia, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

While acknowledging that Georgia maintains territorial claims against Russia, Kobakhidze stressed that his government pursues a pragmatic path in dealing with these issues. “Even in this situation, we adhere to a very peaceful and pragmatic vision,” he remarked. Kobakhidze further pointed out that although Georgia and Russia do not have formal diplomatic relations, they actively engage in economic cooperation. “We continue to pursue an active economic policy. We maintain economic and trade partnerships with Russia, which is also part of our approach,” he added.

The 4th edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2025), hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, under the auspices of H.E. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is being held in Antalya, Türkiye from April 11 till 13. This year’s theme “Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World” reflects the pressing need for diplomacy to reassert itself as a stabilizing force, amid rising global divisions.

Growing geopolitical rifts, deepening global inequalities, surge in violence targeting civilians, intolerance towards divergent views, uncertainties driven by technological disruptions and multidimensional impact of climate crisis have all shaken common sense of justice and eroded trust in international institutions. The inability of the current international system to find solutions to these contemporary challenges has further strained the already struggling cooperation efforts.

In an era of heightened instability and unpredictability, marked by complex challenges and multiple crises, the Antalya Diplomacy Forum aims to evaluate the systemic problems of the multilateral order and foster dialogue on reclaiming diplomacy in a rapidly evolving international environment. The Antalya Diplomacy Forum gathers global leaders, policymakers, academics, business experts and as well as representatives of media and civil society to explore how diplomacy can turn the tide and navigate us through a fragmented world to find a common ground for collective action.

The Forum aims to inspire dialogue to redefine the role and core principles of diplomacy in an increasingly polarized atmosphere. By discussing root causes of various problems, the Forum encourages policymakers to reconsider how diplomacy can manage these turbulent times, with a focus on innovative tools for conflict resolution, mediation strategies and regional cooperation mechanisms. To help create a more effective and cohesive international system, the Forum looks for new solutions to address the failures of global governance, by examining the dysfunction and lack of trust in international organisations.

The role of non-governmental stakeholders complementing traditional diplomatic efforts is also elaborated to discover how diplomacy can become more inclusive, adaptable and resilient. The Forum provides a forward-thinking platform for participants from all around the world to work on joint strategies to make diplomacy the driving force for peace and cooperation.

By Naila Huseynova