Georgian PM: Gov’t “fully supports” One Belt One Road, Middle Corridor initiatives
The Georgian PM also discussed infrastructural projects that were underway in the country in order to improve connectivity. Photo: Government Administration
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili highlighted Georgia’s potential to become a hub for transport, logistics, energy and airline connections, and the country’s contribution to the development of the One Belt - One Road and Middle Corridor initiatives, in an interview with China Central Televsion.
Recorded during his visit to the country last month and aired today, the interview saw Garibashvili note his Government supported both initiatives and highlighted the role of his country in the projects, through its “geostrategic” location.
Proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, the One Belt - One Road initiative aims to create greater trade, infrastructure and people-to-people links between Asia, Europe, Africa and beyond by reviving and expanding the ancient routes of the Silk Road.
The Middle Corridor initiative is a transportation route network connecting China with Europe through the South Caucasus region.
We were probably one of the first countries which joined the Belt and Road initiative. In 2015, to echo and support this initiative, I founded Tbilisi Silk Road Forum. As you know, Georgia was part of the ancient Silk Road. For Georgia, this is a great opportunity”, he told the outlet.
Speaking about his country’s “unique” location, Garibashvili said it connected East to West with the “shortest route”, and told the interview the Corridor could become a “very interesting” alternative route.
It takes only 15 days to transport goods from China to Europe [via the route], compared to other means of transportation. There is a big potential to develop the Middle Corridor that consists of several countries - Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey”, he said.
The Georgian PM also discussed infrastructural projects that were underway in the country in order to improve connectivity.
“In Georgia we are doing lots of infrastructural projects such as East-West Highway, and now we are going to start a new port project for Anaklia deep sea port [...] We are pursuing modernisation of [domestic] railways, which is being done together with a Chinese company [...] We also want to start the construction of a new airport [...] I believe this is [all] part of the Belt and Road Initiative”, he said.