Uzbekistan, Georgia sign strategic partnership declaration

Uzbekistan and Georgia have officially established a strategic partnership, marking a significant deepening of ties between the two nations. The declaration was signed in Tbilisi during a state visit by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who met with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

This landmark visit, the first of its kind for an Uzbek president to Georgia, yielded a comprehensive set of cooperation documents. Agreements were inked across a wide spectrum of fields, including economy, finance, customs, information technology, education, science, innovation, culture, agriculture, environmental protection, healthcare, and tourism. A notable outcome is Uzbekistan's decision to open its first embassy in Georgia, strengthening diplomatic representation.

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the opportunities that a strategic partnership creates, both for bilateral relations and for strengthening connectivity between the South Caucasus and Central Asia. The development of the Middle Corridor, which serves as a vital foundation for economic cooperation and sustainable development in our regions, is of particular importance in this process.

Bilateral trade is a key focus, with both countries agreeing to boost their trade turnover from $270 million last year to a target of $1 billion in the coming years. Discussions also centered on leveraging Georgia's Black Sea ports, Poti and Batumi, for transporting Uzbek cargo. The potential establishment of a logistics hub, complete with an industrial zone and a showroom for Uzbek products, was also explored. President Mirziyoyev further proposed integrating the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway with the developing China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway line, enhancing regional connectivity.

Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili described Uzbekistan as a "reliable partner and a friendly state," emphasizing shared mutual respect and common interests. He highlighted the strategic partnership's potential to bolster connectivity between the South Caucasus and Central Asia, particularly through the development of the Middle Corridor. For his contributions, Mirziyoyev was awarded Georgia's highest state honor, the Order of the Golden Fleece.

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as a reliable partner and a friendly state with whom we share mutual respect, common interests, and a firm commitment to deepening cooperation