PM highlights goal to transform South Caucasus into region of “opportunities, economic growth” at UN
In his address, Garibashvili noted despite the “complex situation” in the region the Georgian government was “sparing no effort” to foster “rapprochement between neighbours”. Photo: Government Administration
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Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday told the United Nations general assembly his government’s goal was to transform the South Caucasus into a “region of opportunities and economic growth”.
In his address, Garibashvili noted despite the “complex situation” in the region the Georgian government was “sparing no effort” to foster “rapprochement between neighbours”.
We have already had success stories, including the safe return of 15 Armenian [prisoners of war] to their homeland in exchange for maps of mined territories [of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region] to Azerbaijan”, the Georgian PM told the assembly in reference to talks hosted between the conflict sides in Georgia.
“This July, for the first time, foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia met in Tbilisi. We are ready to serve as a venue for this dialogue to bring much-needed peace and stability to our region”, he added.
Security brings stability, & stability brings predictability. ???????? has been promoting the Peaceful Neighborhood Initiative, which envisions participation by all three states of the South Caucasus. ???????? serves as an honest broker to aid in normalizing regional relations. #UNGA
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) September 22, 2022
Garibashvili mentioned the “peaceful neighbourhood initiative” promoted by his team for the goal of mediation and peace in the South Caucasus.
“This new initiative is not substituting, countering, or opposing any other cooperation formats. Georgia serves as an honest broker to aid in normalising regional relations”, the head of the government continued.
Our goal is to transform the South Caucasus into a region of opportunities and economic growth. [...] We believe all countries of the South Caucasus and allies from the West will benefit from this collaboration”, the Georgian official noted.
“We must act now to secure the Black Sea, protect energy routes, maintain supply chains, and increase regional connectivity to foster greater economic development. These are all essential to European peace and prosperity”, he concluded.