“I am delighted to have the opportunity to reaffirm once again the close political dialogue, mutual trust, and strategic importance of cooperation that exists between our countries,” stated Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maka Botchorishvili, at a press conference in Istanbul following a meeting with the Foreign Ministers of Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

According to Botchorishvili, Georgia, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan have for years served as the prime example of successful regional cooperation.

“I would like to express my profound gratitude to my colleague, my dear Hakan Fidan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and his team for their excellent hospitality in this beautiful city. Today, the tenth trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Georgia, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan was held here in Istanbul. I’m pleased to join my colleagues in reaffirming the close political dialogue, mutual trust, and strategic importance of cooperation between our countries.

We have gathered here today not merely as representatives of three states, but as partners united by a shared vision of peace, prosperity, and development. Over the years, our partnership has shown that mutual respect and shared interests deliver results for both our countries and the wider region. For years, Georgia, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan have set the finest example of successful regional cooperation, founded on equality, mutual respect, and the consideration of mutual interests. The success of this partnership is clearly demonstrated by numerous major infrastructure, energy, and transport projects, which are vital both to our respective countries and the wider region.

Over time, this trilateral format has become one of the most effective and successful mechanisms for regional cooperation. I am pleased that today we can evaluate the practical results of this excellent collaboration. Given the challenges within the contemporary international environment, the trilateral format provides us with the opportunity to work in a coordinated manner to realise our shared interests. Today, my colleagues and I discussed ongoing developments and current challenges in the region and the world, as well as prospects for developing and strengthening our cooperation. We have signed a joint declaration that outlines the core directions of our collaboration.

A strategic partnership and multifaceted cooperation link Georgia to Türkiye and Azerbaijan. Our relations are built upon good-neighbourliness and trust. Türkiye and Azerbaijan are Georgia’s largest trading partners. Our cooperation spans political, economic, transport, energy, defence, cultural-technological, and other crucial sectors. Today, we paid particular attention to matters of regional security and the preservation of peace. We underscored that sustainable peace and stability in the South Caucasus constitute a vital prerequisite both for regional development and for broader international security,” Maka Botchorishvili stated.

As Botchorishvili noted, Georgia stands ready to continue contributing to the reinforcement of peace, stability, and constructive cooperation across the region.

“Our shared goal is to transform our region into a space of cooperation, economic development, connectivity, and prosperity, where states can fully exploit their existing potential and further deepen partnerships built on mutual interests. We welcome the positive dynamics in relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We express our hope that this process will contribute to the establishment of long-term peace in the region. For its part, Georgia stands ready to continue making its contribution to the reinforcement of peace, stability, and constructive cooperation across the region. We also welcome the progress achieved towards the normalisation of relations between Türkiye and Armenia,” Botchorishvili stated.

According to Maka Botchorishvili, “the occupation of Georgia’s two regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, by Russia, alongside the ongoing situation within Georgia’s occupied territories, poses a security challenge not only to Georgia but to the entire region.”

“International support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is of paramount importance, and I would like to extend my thanks once again to the Republic of Türkiye and the Republic of Azerbaijan for their steadfast support,” Maka Botchorishvili said.