“Turkey and Georgia are not merely neighboring countries. These are two strategic partners united by deep historical, cultural, and human ties,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated during a joint press conference with Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili.

Erdoğan discussed the topics covered in his meeting with Kavelashvili.

According to him, the strategic cooperation between Georgia and Turkey will be further strengthened.

“We are two countries participating in the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project, which is the backbone of the Middle Corridor, and we have strategically important oil and gas pipelines. Georgia is the homeland of the Meskhetian Turks, who were forcibly displaced from their historical homeland in November 1944.

In our discussions, grounded in economic and cultural-historical ties, we reaffirm our readiness to further deepen our relations. We will continue to move forward, fostering development in our trade, our relations, and for the well-being of our peoples.

Our country has been Georgia’s largest trading partner for years, which is further proof that our relationship is built on a solid foundation. We have significant trade turnover - $3 billion in recent years - and we are moving toward new goals, such as reaching $5 billion, as well as increasing mutual investments.

Thanks to the warm and welcoming atmosphere created in Georgia, thousands of Turkish companies operate in the country. Turkish construction companies show great interest in Georgia’s investment and infrastructure projects. Moreover, over 300 large-scale construction projects worth billions have already been implemented. Additionally, I discussed joint projects with my colleague. The Tbilisi-Kars railway is very important for each of us. Cooperation in the military and defense sectors is of utmost importance - these are key items on our agenda.

We also exchanged views on events taking place in our region and the world at large. I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize our firm support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. We contribute to strengthening regional peace and security.

On the Black Sea, security in the Caucasus, the war in Ukraine, and the human tragedy in Gaza - these issues were discussed with President Kavelashvili. Georgia and Turkey will work together for peace and development in our region and beyond.

I also conveyed to President Kavelashvili our expectations for the dignified and safe return of the Meskhetian Turks to their historical homeland, and we, as Turks, will provide worthy support to this process.

The strategic cooperation between Georgia and Turkey will be further strengthened based on the will of our peoples,” the Turkish President declared.