FM Maka Bochorishvili: Georgia’s unique advantages cannot be replaced

Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maka Bochorishvili, stated that Georgia possesses “significant and unique advantages” that cannot be replaced, emphasizing the country’s role in regional connectivity.

Speaking on the Imedi TV program Imedi’s Week, Bochorishvili assessed the recent visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Georgia, highlighting its importance in the context of developing the Middle Corridor and strengthening connectivity between Europe and Asia.

According to her, Georgia continues to play a key role in regional cooperation formats, particularly with Central Asian countries, including Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, with planned visits to Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. She noted that Azerbaijan’s recent involvement has effectively transformed this framework into a six-country cooperation format.

Bochorishvili underscored Azerbaijan’s transit role, stating that it is “inconceivable” without Georgia’s participation. She added that Georgia has not lost any of its strategic importance, and that its function in the region cannot be substituted.

Commenting on broader geopolitical dynamics, Bochorishvili described it as “regrettable” when discussions on connectivity exclude Georgia, noting that “Europe ultimately loses” in such cases.

She also emphasized Georgia’s access to the Black Sea as a major strategic advantage and called for deeper cooperation with neighboring and partner countries to maximize these opportunities.

Bochorishvili further referred to the role of Bidzina Ivanishvili in maintaining peace during turbulent times, noting the importance of his meeting with President Aliyev.

“Georgia has significant and unique advantages that cannot be replaced by anything or anyone,” she said, adding that speculation about Georgia’s regional role reflects a lack of understanding of the geopolitical landscape.