Georgian PM tells Davos discussions Gov’t “loyal” to Middle Corridor development
PM Irakli Garibashvili promoted Georgia as a country of “significant geostrategic location” and said his Government was “loyal” to the idea of developing the Middle Corridor. Photo: PM's press office
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday promoted Georgia as a country of “significant geostrategic location” and said his Government was “loyal” to the idea of developing the Middle Corridor - a logistics link connecting Europe with Asia - which he said would become a more “interesting, attractive, alternative route”.
Speaking at the Dialogue on Diplomacy in the Western Balkans panel, hosted within the World Economic Forum in Davos, Garibashvili said two years ago a “very important” roadmap had been signed with Kazakh and Azerbaijani counterparts for the initiative.
We have a very clear plan on how to develop this Corridor, which means expanding the capacity of ports, airports, railways and road infrastructure”, he said.
The Georgian PM said the construction of a new deep sea port was launching this year in the Black Sea town of Anaklia.
Railway facilities are also being developed. Its [annual] capacity in Georgia will double and exceed 48 million tonnes. We also want to start building a new airport as we want to position Georgia as a regional aviation hub. All infrastructure projects like roads, highways will be completed this year”, he said.
Photo: PM's press office
Garibashvili mentioned the importance of China's interest in developing alternative routes.
He also noted his “very successful” visit to China in 2023 and the signing of a deal for strategic cooperation between the two states.
The PM told the panel China's interest in the Corridor had been announced by President Xi Jinping, adding it would “give more importance and energy to the development [pace]” of the initiative.
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