Deepening Strategic Alliance: Presidential Meeting Bolsters Georgia-Turkey Relationship
Georgia and Turkey Strengthen Partnership, Focus on Middle Corridor and Infrastructure Projects
During a recent visit to Turkey, Mikheil Kavelashvili, President of Georgia, held discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to deepen regional, trade-economic, and transport-energy cooperation. The strategic partnership between the two countries remains robust, with a focus on the Middle Corridor and significant infrastructure projects.
President Kavelashvili expressed his gratitude for the exceptional and warm hospitality received in Turkey. He noted that these projects give both countries new dimensions in the global geopolitical arena. The Middle Corridor, comprising the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway, and the Southern Gas Corridor, are key pillars of their cooperation and regional connectivity agenda.
The BTK railway, described by President Erdogan as "the backbone of the Middle Corridor," is a strategic 826-km freight and passenger line linking East and West. It is now operating at full capacity, serving as a vital transport artery. Bilateral trade volume has surpassed $3 billion, with ambitions to reach $5 billion, indicating growing economic ties.
The energy infrastructure, including the BTC oil pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, along with the Southern Gas Corridor, remain critical components of regional energy security and economic interdependence. These energy corridors underpin not only bilateral ties but the broader regional energy architecture connecting Azerbaijan to Europe through Georgia and Turkey.
President Kavelashvili emphasized the need to increase Georgian exports to ensure equal benefits from the free trade agreement. He also proposed the next session of the High-Level Strategic Partnership Council and invited President Erdogan to visit Georgia.
The meeting addressed bilateral and multilateral cooperation, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to work "shoulder to shoulder" for regional cooperation and development. Beyond economics, cooperation extends to defense and military sectors, with plans for high-level trilateral meetings to further these efforts.
In summary, the Turkey-Georgia partnership thrives on major infrastructure projects like the BTK railway and energy pipelines, facilitating economic growth, regional connectivity on the Middle Corridor, and contributing materially to peace and cooperation frameworks in the South Caucasus region.
[1] Razmadze, M. (2025). Meeting of Presidents Kavelashvili and Erdogan: Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Economic Ties. Georgian Times. [2] Erdogan, R. T. (2025). Addressing the Georgian Parliament: A New Era of Strategic Partnership. Turkish President's Official Website. [3] Kavelashvili, M. (2025). Interview with Anadolu Agency: Georgia-Turkey Relations and the Middle Corridor. Georgian President's Official Website. [4] Erdogan, R. T., & Kavelashvili, M. (2025). Joint Statement: Strengthening Strategic Partnership and Regional Cooperation. Georgian President's Official Website.
- The Turkey-Georgia strategic partnership extends beyond economics, also including defense and military cooperation, as highlighted by plans for high-level trilateral meetings in the defense and military sectors.
- In the realm of finance, the bilateral trade volume between Turkey and Georgia has surpassed $3 billion, with ambitions to reach $5 billion, a clear indication of growing economic ties.
- War-and-conflicts and politics are interwoven with the Middle Corridor projects, as the partnership between Georgia and Turkey contributes materially to peace and cooperation frameworks in the South Caucasus region, providing a vital transport artery and facilitating regional connectivity.
