Infrastructure Minister, Hungarian FM discuss deepening relations

Georgian Infrastructure Minister Irakli Karseladze and Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó on Saturday discussed the possible deepening of relations between the countries in decentralisation, regional and infrastructural development at the meeting held within the framework of the United Nations 2023 Water Conference in New York.

As noted by the sides, the “prerequisite” for deepening cooperation has been the “double-digit growth” of the Georgian economy in recent years and the “record-growing” budgets allocated for the development of infrastructure projects.

Karseladze highlighted the present “connection” through the construction of a new East-West highway, adding the Black Sea submarine cable international project would further strengthen the existing ties, the Infrastructure Ministry said.

This [Black Sea submarine cable] will be an even greater contribution of Georgia, as a historical part of the European family, to the energy security of Europe and the Caucasus", the Georgian Minister noted.

The officials also reviewed the management and availability of water resources and Georgia’s progress in the implementation of short-term and long-term plans, with Szijjártó “highly rating” the ongoing projects in Georgia.

Karseladze emphasised they had reviewed Georgia’s “significant” progress on the European integration path and the implementation of the European Union’s conditions for granting the country the membership candidate status, while stressing the Hungarian Government’s “great support” expressed for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.