Georgian president holds first meeting with Erdogan during inaugural visit
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Georgia and Turkey have strengthened their strategic partnership, with President Mikheil Kavelashvili's official visit to Ankara in August 2025 marking a significant milestone. The two nations reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations and addressing regional and global issues.
Trade Relations Soar
The bilateral trade volume between Georgia and Turkey has reached an all-time high, surpassing $3 billion. With a target of $5 billion, the two countries are set to further boost their economic ties. Turkey, which has been Georgia's largest trading partner since 2007, holds about $2.5 billion in direct investments in Georgia. Over 2,000 Turkish companies operate in the country, particularly in construction and infrastructure projects.
Regional Cooperation and Integration
The strategic partnership between Georgia and Turkey extends to regional cooperation. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, often referred to as the "backbone of the Middle Corridor," connects East and West freight and passenger transport. This railway project, along with strategically important oil and gas pipelines, highlights the nations' regional connectivity and economic integration.
There is ongoing collaboration in the defense industry and military fields, with trilateral frameworks involving Azerbaijan to bolster security, peace, and development in the Caucasus region. Plans include convening Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ and Parliamentary Speakers’ Meetings to strengthen these ties.
Support for the Ahıska Turks
Turkey reaffirmed its support for the dignified and safe return of the Ahıska Turks (also known as Meskhetian Turks), a community forcibly displaced from their historical homeland in Georgia in 1944. President Erdoğan stated that Ankara will continue providing all necessary assistance to this community, reflecting the humanitarian dimension within the bilateral relations.
Historical Ties and Diplomatic Relations
Diplomatic relations between Georgia and Turkey date back to Turkey’s recognition of Georgia’s independence in 1991. The partnership centers on mutual economic growth, security cooperation, and shared regional stability goals. Citizens of both countries enjoy visa-free travel using national identity cards under a 2011 protocol.
Georgia's strategic position provides Turkey with a critical land corridor to the Caspian Basin and Central Asia. Its infrastructure links bypass Russia and Iran, giving Ankara and its partners a strategic advantage in energy transit and regional connectivity.
In conclusion, the strategic partnership between Georgia and Turkey is strong and continues to deepen across multiple areas, including trade, regional cooperation, and cultural-historical ties. The nations look forward to further strengthening their ties in the years to come.
References:
- Georgia Today
- Anadolu Agency
- Caucasian Knot
- Hurriyet Daily News
- Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- In the aftermath of President Kavelashvili's visit to Ankara, discussions about deepening political relations between Georgia and Turkey have been a significant part of the general news.
- For those planning travel, it's worth noting that Georgian and Turkish citizens can now enjoy visa-free travel using their national identity cards, thanks to a 2011 protocol.
- Moving ahead, Turkey continues to advocate for the Ahıska Turks, emphasizing a safe and dignified return for a community forcefully displaced from their homeland in Georgia in 1944, a topic that transcends the realm of politics.
