“Today, we are witnessing a very important stage, the transport connectivity of Georgia with the European Union – let’s move forward together to connect Georgia with the European Union,” said EU Ambassador to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski at the opening of the new section of the Rikoti Pass highway.

According to the EU Ambassador, the highway opening happened in the context of what is being called Europe’s first Global Gateway Forum held in Brussels and Silk Road Forum in Tbilisi this week.

Pawel Herczynski went on to say that the Global Gateway is the EU’s strategy to connect different parts of the EU, the European strategy to “promote smart, clean and secure links in the digital energy and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education and research systems worldwide.”

“We like to say it – we are stronger together through sustainable development. In Georgia, the mentioned strategy is implemented through economic and investment plans, taking into account its flagship projects, which are linked to international connectivity. This includes the mentioned East-West expressway. This highway is part of the extended trans-European transport network, providing opportunities for regional integration through increased connectivity,” he said.