Turkey and Georgia aim for $5 billion trade target as presidents bolster strategic partnership
In a series of high-level meetings, the Georgian president, Mikheil Kavelashvili, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed plans to deepen their countries' cooperation, with a particular focus on the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) Railway.
The BTK Railway, currently in an advanced operational testing phase, is a critical regional corridor connecting Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. The line significantly enhances East-West connectivity in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Plans for the future include further capacity increases, stable scheduled freight services, passenger operations, and enhanced regional cooperation.
During the talks, the leaders emphasized the importance of bringing the BTK Railway to its full capacity. The ongoing Armenia–Azerbaijan peace agreement, announced in August 2025, could potentially enable an alternative transit route through Armenian territory, supplementing the singular Georgia route and enhancing the legal and operational reliability of the corridor.
The leaders also discussed trilateral cooperation mechanisms involving Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Plans for upcoming foreign ministers' and parliamentary speakers' meetings were discussed in this context. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway was described as "the backbone of the Middle Corridor" and acknowledged as crucial for regional connectivity between East and West.
Turkish investments in Georgia approach $2.5 billion, with Turkish construction firms undertaking 300 projects worth $5.5 billion. Türkiye has maintained its position as Georgia's largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years. The leaders announced plans to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion.
The leaders also addressed the situation of the Ahiska Turks, a historically displaced community from Georgia. Erdogan conveyed expectations for the safe and dignified return of Ahiska Turks to their homeland.
In addition to the political discussions, a Georgian-Turkish children's friendship series began filming in Antalya. Erdogan hosted an evening dinner for Kavelashvili and the Georgian delegation during the meeting. Over 2,000 Turkish companies operate in Georgia, contributing to the strong economic ties between the two countries.
The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway is more than just a railway. It's a symbol of the growing cooperation between Turkey and Georgia, and a testament to the potential for regional connectivity and economic growth in the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
- In the talks, both Presidents Erdogan and Kavelashvili highlighted the importance of maximizing the capacity of the BTK Railway, recognizing its potential to bring about an alternative transit route through Armenian territory.
- The Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, expressed his expectations for the safe and dignified return of the historically displaced Ahiska Turks to their homeland in Georgia.
- Plans to increase bilateral trade between Türkiye and Georgia were announced during the high-level meetings, aiming to reach $5 billion.
- The BTK Railway, being a critical corridor connecting Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey, was described as the backbone of the Middle Corridor and essential for enhancing regional connectivity between East and West.
