Parliament official: “efficient” supply chains, transport connectivity of “strategic importance” for Georgia

Maka Botchorishvili, the Chair of the European Integration Committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Monday said formation of “efficient” supply chains and promotion of transport connectivity across the Eurasian continent were of “strategic importance” for Georgia.

In her speech at a conference on the role of national Parliaments in promoting security and stability through green economy, connectivity and sustainable development, hosted in Azerbaijan’s capital city of Baku, Botchorishvili reviewed the role of Middle Corridor - an initiative envisaging the revival of the ancient Silk Road through development of a logistics route connecting Central Asia and China to Europe via the South Caucasus. 

The Georgian official highlighted security challenges in Europe, created by Russia's “unjustified” full-scale military aggression in Ukraine, had directly affected the global economy by creating disruptions in transit, energy and food markets.

Along with the development of international transport communications, the development of regional transit routes is an important priority for us to strengthen connectivity in the region and beyond”, Botchorishvili said. 

She stressed the importance of Georgia's transit role and logistics hub was further enhanced by its access to the Black Sea. 

The Parliament official also discussed the Black Sea submarine cable project - designed to connect the energy grid of the South Caucasus to those of European Union countries - by saying “this project will contribute to the energy security of Europe and the Caucasus region”. 

Botchorishvili added the Georgian Government attached “special importance” to European integration, and approximation to European standards in "various fields".