Georgia’s strategic location and open economic policy make the country an undisputed hub of connectivity between Europe and Asia. In a complex and constantly changing global environment, Georgia remains a constructive and reliable partner and plays a crucial role in shaping global supply chains, energy diversification, and the deepening of economic ties, Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Maka Botchorishvili said at a joint press conference with BSEC Secretary General Lazar Comanescu.

According to Botchorishvili, the priorities of Georgia’s chairmanship will focus on strengthening regional connectivity and promoting the development of the Middle Corridor, ensuring energy security, advancing digitalization and good governance, and enhancing the region’s tourism potential and cultural ties.

“I welcome the Secretary General of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, Mr. Lazar Comanescu. I am pleased to host you in Tbilisi today, and thank you for your visit. Since January 1, 2026, Georgia has assumed the chairmanship of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. Over the next six months, Georgia, as chair, will lead the organization’s work and do its utmost to ensure its effective functioning.

We believe that the security, stability, and development of the Black Sea region are the foundation of Europe’s prosperity. Today, the Black Sea region faces a number of challenges, particularly in the field of security, which has made it one of the epicenters of global politics. Alongside addressing these challenges, we must also focus on the opportunities that exist in the region.

Georgia’s strategic location and open economic policy make the country an indispensable hub of connectivity between Europe and Asia. In a complex and ever-changing global environment, Georgia maintains its status as a constructive and reliable partner and plays a crucial role in shaping global supply chains, energy diversification, and the deepening of economic ties.

Our vision is based on strengthening connectivity, where the Middle Corridor is not merely a transport route, but a safe, fast, and efficient economic bridge. Ongoing infrastructure initiatives—including oil pipelines, a Black Sea submarine power cable, liquefied natural gas projects in the Black Sea, modernization of the railway system, construction of the East–West Highway, and the Anaklia deep-sea port—will significantly contribute to Europe’s shared prosperity.

I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the existing cooperation between Georgia and the BSEC. As a founding member of the organization, Georgia has actively promoted regional dialogue and economic stability since its inception. At the same time, existing security challenges remain a significant obstacle to the full realization of the organization’s potential. We must strive to make the Black Sea a connecting space rather than a dividing one.

Within the framework of the chairmanship, we have identified a number of priority areas that will guide the implementation of planned events and initiatives. These priorities include strengthening regional connectivity and advancing the development of the Middle Corridor, ensuring energy security, promoting digitalization and good governance, and enhancing the region’s tourism potential and cultural ties.

Together with the Secretary General, we discussed issues related to the organization’s work, as well as plans and priorities for the next six months, which will shape the BSEC agenda during Georgia’s chairmanship.

In conclusion, I would like to reaffirm to the Secretary General Georgia’s readiness, within the chairmanship, to contribute to the implementation of the organization’s strategic goals, ensuring that the BSEC remains an effective instrument for the development, prosperity, and security of the Black Sea region,” Maka Botchorishvili stated.