Maka Botchorishvili: “Georgia, Türkiye and Azerbaijan have, over the years, served as the best example of successful regional cooperation based on equality, mutual respect and the consideration of shared interests”
“Over the years, the trilateral format has evolved into one of the most effective and successful mechanisms of regional cooperation, and I am pleased that today we are able to assess the practical outcomes of this collaboration,” the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Maka Botchorishvili said during a joint press conference held following the 10th Trilateral Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Georgia, Türkiye and Azerbaijan in Istanbul.
According to the Minister, the trilateral meeting held in Istanbul once again reaffirms the special importance of the close political dialogue and strategic cooperation among Georgia, Türkiye and Azerbaijan.
“We have gathered here today not only as the representatives of three states, but as partners united by a shared vision of peace, prosperity and common development. Over the years, our cooperation has clearly demonstrated that partnership based on mutual respect and shared interests yields significant results both for our countries and for the wider region”.
According to Maka Botchorishvili, the success of the partnership is evidenced by a number of significant infrastructure, energy and transport projects that have played an important role in enhancing regional connectivity and promoting economic development. She further noted that, over the years, the trilateral format has evolved into one of the most effective and successful mechanisms of regional cooperation.
Maka Botchorishvili also stated that, within the framework of the ministerial meeting, a Joint Declaration was signed, reflecting the key areas of trilateral cooperation and future priorities. She also emphasized that “Georgia, Türkiye and Azerbaijan have, over the years, served as the best example of successful regional cooperation based on equality, mutual respect and the consideration of shared interests”.
According to the Minister, particular attention during the meeting was devoted to issues related to regional security and the maintenance of peace. The parties underscored that “sustainable peace and stability in the South Caucasus constitute an essential prerequisite both for the development of the region and for broader international security.“
According to her, the shared objective of the parties is to transform the South Caucasus into a space of cooperation, economic development, connectivity, and prosperity, where states will fully utilize existing potential and further deepen partnership based on common interests.
Maka Botchorishvili positively assessed the dynamics of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the progress achieved in the process of normalization of relations between Türkiye and Armenia, and emphasized that “Georgia, for its part, stands ready to continue contributing to the promotion of peace, stability and constructive cooperation in the region”.
In her remarks, Maka Botchorishvili drew attention to the occupation of Georgia’s two regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia by the Russian Federation, as well as to the situation in the occupied territories.
“International support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is of particular importance, and I would like once again to express my gratitude to the Republic of Türkiye and the Republic of Azerbaijan for their steadfast support,” stated the Deputy Prime Minister.
The Minister also spoke about regional connectivity, as well as transport and energy cooperation, noting that the strategic location of Georgia, Türkiye and Azerbaijan, along with existing infrastructure capacities, plays an important role in linking Europe and Asia.
“We will continue our cooperation to strengthen the role of our countries in promoting the development of secure, sustainable and efficient transit, trade and economic links, thereby serving as a reliable bridge between Europe and Asia. In this context, we placed particular emphasis on the Middle Corridor, which is emerging today as one of the key routes for international trade and transit,” highlighted the Foreign Minister.
Maka Botchorishvili noted that the meeting also focused on the development of the Middle Corridor, including the importance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and energy cooperation.
In conclusion, the Minister underlined the special significance of the Georgia-Türkiye-Azerbaijan partnership. She expressed gratitude to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye for the warm hospitality and noted that Georgia will host the next, 11th Ministerial Meeting.