Georgian Parliament official: no one can push Georgia out of Central Asian trade route

Levan Makhashvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on European Integration, on Saturday said that Georgia's position in the emerging Central Asian trade corridor was secure, arguing that the country remains the only stable gateway connecting the region to global markets and would continue to play a key role in regional connectivity.

In his interview with Imedi TV, Makhashvili assessed Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s recent visit to Tajikistan and discussed the growing economic significance of Central Asia.

“We are talking about a region - Central Asia - with a combined national income of half a trillion dollars and a population of 85 million people. It is a region with tremendous potential that is looking for access and reliable routes to global markets”, he said.

“All of its routes to world markets are either closed or affected by serious conflicts. Georgia is the only stable gateway to global markets. Therefore, it is naturally our priority not only to deepen cooperation with Tajikistan, which was visited by the Prime Minister and government officials, but also with other countries in the region - Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and others. Together, we are effectively building a future-oriented, reliable, and highly important trade corridor”, Makhashvili continued.

The official dismissed Brussels’ approach as unrealistic, comparing it to an ostrich hiding its head in the sand by pretending Georgia does not exist on the map.

“Of course, such ideas are unrealistic, especially considering what we are seeing in relation to developments surrounding Iran and the broader regional situation. Overall, everything points to one conclusion: no one can push Georgia out of this trade route. On the contrary, Georgia is and will continue to be a very reliable and stable partner for everyone who considers the functioning of this trade corridor important”, he stressed.

Makhashvili further noted that the trade corridor was not merely a future concept but an ongoing reality that was already generating economic benefits.

“Most importantly, the construction of this trade route is not some distant vision for the future - it is already underway, and it is already having an impact on the citizens of our country”, he noted.

He highlighted that increased transit activity would contribute to economic growth, higher budget revenues, and improved living standards for Georgian citizens.