“What is your concrete plan to ensure the Middle Corridor functions properly? When did you last speak with the Georgian authorities? I know the Commission has made certain decisions regarding the Georgian government, but the bottom line is we cannot change geography,” said MEP Cristian Terhes at the European Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee extraordinary meeting, which heard from Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement.

“I want to ask you directly about the situation in the South Caucasus, specifically Georgia. I have two maps here — one of Central Asia and the South Caucasus, and another showing the trade routes connecting Europe with Asia. One route goes through Russia, another is the so-called Middle Corridor, and the third is the Southern Corridor — through the Indian Ocean. The Southern Corridor currently has a problem — the Strait of Hormuz. I hope the current Commission does not want to use the Northern Corridor through Russia.

So, the only option left is the Middle Corridor. We cannot change geography — this corridor goes through Azerbaijan and Georgia. There is also a discussion about involving Armenia, which is a great project. However, the credit for this initiative is now going to Trump, since the EU failed to accomplish it. My question is: what is your concrete plan to ensure this corridor functions properly? When did you last speak with the Georgian authorities? I know the Commission has made certain decisions regarding the Georgian government, but the bottom line is, we cannot change geography. A few weeks ago, the State Department representative visited Georgia, after which Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the Prime Minister of Georgia directly. If they can do it, why can’t we? We lost Belarus to Putin because we took the position that we are great and they are nobody. Look where they are now. We need Georgia, we need Armenia, we need Azerbaijan. What is your plan to keep them on our side?” the MEP said.

In her turn, Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, stated: “Without Georgia, the connectivity agenda is impossible. We are open to involving Georgia if it shows a willingness to engage in other areas.”