EU Ambassador: Rikoti Pass, contributing to economic development, also brings Georgia closer to EU
“As we like to say, we are stronger together through sustainable development. In Georgia, the mentioned strategy [Global Gateway] is implemented through economic and investment plans, taking into account its flagship projects, which are linked to international connectivity. This includes the mentioned East-West highway”, Herczynski added. Photo via EU Delegation to Georgia
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Pawel Herczynski, the European Union Ambassador to Georgia, on Saturday said the development of Rikoti Pass, a major crossing between eastern and western parts of Georgia, was a “direct contributor” to the advancement of economic and investment projects in the country, bringing Georgia closer to the EU.
In his address at the opening of a 27-kilometre, four-lane section of the Pass, Herczynski noted the highway was a part of the expanded trans-European transport network, providing opportunities for regional integration in the EU through increased connectivity.
Today we are witnesses of a very important stage, the transport connectivity of Georgia with the EU”, the Ambassador stressed, citing the importance of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s participation in this regard in the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels and the significance of the Silk Road Forum held this week in Tbilisi.
Photo via Government Administration
He noted the Global Gateway was the bloc’s strategy to “connect different parts of the EU” and to promote “smart, safe links” in the digital energy and transport sectors, strengthening health, education and research systems worldwide.
As we like to say, we are stronger together through sustainable development. In Georgia, the mentioned strategy [Global Gateway] is implemented through economic and investment plans, taking into account its flagship projects, which are linked to international connectivity. This includes the mentioned East-West highway”, Herczynski added.
The EU official also said the bloc’s grants, allocated for road safety, were used for the construction works at Rikoti Pass, which would “seriously contribute” to the improvement of regional integration, while at the same time mitigating the risks associated with road traffic.
Herczynski cited Garibashvili’s address at the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, in which the latter said Georgia aspired to become a regional transit hub and centre of East-West transport routes, and the Ambassador added “let's move forward together to connect Georgia with the EU”.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday said Georgia – positioned as a “natural” bridge at the crossroads of Europe and Asia – was transforming into a multi-dimensional regional hub, while his Government had invested “significantly” in modernising infrastructure, enhancing connectivity and fostering “efficient” trade routes.
Georgia will receive €16 million to improve road safety in the country along its East-West highway, as the European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi and European Investment Bank President Werner Hoyer formalised a financial package at the Global Gateway Forum, by which the European Commission will provide a grant for the country.
Pawel Herczynski, the European Union Ambassador to Georgia, on Wednesday said he hoped the decision of European Union member states on Georgia’s membership candidate status would be “positive” and the country would get “closer” to the bloc’s membership.
Lesley Bearman Lahm, the Country Director for Georgia at the Asian Development Bank, on Saturday said she was “proud” of the ADB’s cooperation with the Government of Georgia for the last 15 years, stressing the East-West highway project would strengthen the position of the country as a transit hub.
Maciej Czura, the head of the European Investment Bank's Regional Representation for the South Caucasus, on Saturday said “Georgia’s European Highway” became “a reality”, after opening of a new 27-kilometre, four-lane section of Rikoti Pass.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Saturday said the opening of a 27-kilometre, four-lane section of Rikoti Pass, a major crossing between eastern and western parts of Georgia, which includes 65 bridges and 38 tunnels, would “facilitate movement” on the road.
Rolande Pryce, the World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus, on Saturday hailed the “exceptional leadership” of the Georgian Government and “strong partnership” with other international financial institutions in the development of the East-West highway.
Georgian Infrastructure Minister Irakli Karseladze on Monday detailed “unprecedentedly complex” works on infrastructure at the Rikoti Pass - a major crossing between eastern and western parts of the country - to MPs in a session of the Sector Economy and Economic Policy Committee of the Parliament.