Georgia will not vanish from map; no new route can replace its unique strategic role, says Foreign Minister

“No alternative route could ever replace Georgia’s unique strategic role,” Georgia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Maka Botchorishvili, said on the television programme Imedi LIVE.

According to the Minister, Georgia’s strategic location makes the country an indispensable hub in terms of regional connectivity, and no newly established route or corridor could diminish Georgia’s potential in this respect.

“I genuinely see no such risk, nor does it exist. We should not allow ourselves to be frightened by the notion that Georgia will somehow disappear from the map; it most certainly will not. One might, however, reasonably question the competence of those who speak about connectivity whilst failing to mention the principal link for Europe, Georgia. Or rather, not merely failing to mention it, but actively trying to undermine this route at a time when no viable alternative exists,” Botchorishvili stated.

The Minister noted that the construction of new routes represents a significant asset for the region as a whole. Whilst she acknowledged certain efforts aimed at diminishing Georgia’s strategic function, she maintained that the emergence of new corridors does nothing to alter Georgia’s enduring importance on the world’s geopolitical map.

“Whatever is said, there is currently intense discussion about the construction of new routes between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and we can say quite plainly and calmly that this is good for the region. Should these develop and new routes be added to our region, the value of our region will only increase in terms of connectivity. But it is simply inconceivable that any route could replace Georgia, given that this corridor has existed, functioned, and grown for so many years.

Demand rises annually rather than falls. Even if three or four additional routes were added, they would still likely be insufficient to meet all the freight traffic moving between East and West today. As for attempts by certain parties to exploit Azerbaijan–Armenia relations in relation to Georgia, to create ambiguity or pose loaded questions, we see all of this clearly, we welcome it, and we do not regard it as competition to the route passing through Georgia,” the Minister said.