Georgia sees China as key partner in strengthening economy, connectivity, political standing, says Georgian PM
Irakli Kobakhidze
Photo: Government of Georgia
China is currently the only peaceful superpower in global politics, which is why we share common values and why deepening cooperation with China is particularly valuable to us, said Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in an interview with TRT World.
Kobakhidze noted that Georgia’s strategic partnership with China, along with a free trade agreement and visa-free travel, helps the country enhance its connectivity.
“We are doing everything to expand our cooperation with many countries around the world. This is our vision, and we are pleased to have a strategic partnership with China. We have signed a free trade agreement and maintain visa-free travel with China, which helps us enhance our connectivity, strengthen our economy, and consolidate our political positions. This is very valuable to us. Therefore, deepened cooperation with China is extremely important for us”, the PM said.
“Regarding Iran, we do not have a particularly intensified relationship, but it is our neighbor. We maintain relations with Iran, and this is the current situation. The same applies to other countries - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and all other neighboring states, which hold a similar position and are also trying to develop partnerships with various countries around the world. Once again, China, of course, plays a very special role. It should be noted that China is currently the only peaceful superpower in global politics. That is why we share common values. This is precisely why deepening cooperation with China is particularly valuable to us”, Kobakhidze concluded.
All News
17 March 2026, 13:42
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker: Georgia refused role of “sacrificial pawn” in global conflict
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Tuesday addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Georgia's strategic positioning, marking four years since the start of the full-scale war in Europe.
17 March 2026, 13:14
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker says national loyalty, not geopolitical labels, defines Georgia’s politics
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Tuesday said there was no such distinction as pro-European or anti-European, pro-Russian or anti-Russian in governing the country, stressing that only loyalty to national interests should define political orientation.
17 March 2026, 11:57
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party official accuses German Ambassador Peter Fischer of “trampling all diplomatic norms”
Irakli Kirtskhalia, the chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Monday said the situation surrounding Peter Fischer, the German ambassador to Georgia, was “quite tragic”, emphasising that Fischer was viewed as a prominent activist and associated with the opposition United National Movement party.
17 March 2026, 11:27
Politics
Georgian PM: major steps taken to curb corruption and reform governance system
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said significant steps had been taken to substantially reduce the scale of corruption and eliminate it at the political level, stressing that systemic changes in governance were more important than criminal prosecution alone.
17 March 2026, 11:04
Society
Georgian Patriarch Ilia II hospitalised as condition remains stable but serious
The Public Relations Service of the Georgian Patriarchate on Tuesday released an official statement regarding the health condition of Ilia II.
16 March 2026, 22:02
Politics
Georgian PM: Georgia can teach democracy to many OSCE member states
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said Georgia is a democratic state capable of “teaching” others about human rights and political pluralism.
16 March 2026, 21:40
Politics
Georgian PM: no plans to revise transparency or family values laws
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said his government does not intend to revise its legislation regarding transparency or family values, citing a lack of substantive arguments from critics.
16 March 2026, 20:50
Politics
Georgian PM: EU bureaucracy acts on “external dictation”, not European interests
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday claimed European bureaucracy was acting not in accordance with European interests, but at the dictation of external forces.
16 March 2026, 20:19
Politics
Georgian PM says law on family values, protection of minors fully aligns with legal principles, no grounds for revision
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said the domestic law on family values and the protection of minors was in full compliance with legal principles and maintained there is “no basis whatsoever” for its revision.
16 March 2026, 19:56
Politics
Georgian PM vows to stand firm on national interests amid external pressure
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday reaffirmed his government's commitment to Georgia’s sovereignty, stating that authorities remain “firmly” aligned with the Georgian people in defending national interests against external pressures.
16 March 2026, 17:13
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker criticises German Ambassador for ‘overstepping’ diplomatic role
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday criticised Peter Fischer, the German ambassador to Georgia, accusing him of overstepping his diplomatic role and attempting to speak on behalf of the European Union’s ambassador.
16 March 2026, 16:46
Politics
Georgian Foreign Minister: Kulevi port narrative once again reveals coordinated interests against Georgia
Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Sunday said the narrative around the Kulevi oil terminal reaffirmed the scale of interest directed against Georgia.
16 March 2026, 13:18
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker: Georgia applied to join EU, not to return to Soviet Union
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday criticised the current direction of the European Union, warning that the bloc risks transforming into a “Soviet Union” style entity if it does not change its course.
16 March 2026, 12:53
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker: until EU condemns October 4 violence, its words hold no value for Georgian society
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday said the attack on Georgia, Georgian society, and the will of the Georgian people to organise their country according to their own choice was continuing.
16 March 2026, 12:08
Politics
Georgian President slams UK sanctions on Imedi TV, POSTV as “unimaginable absurdity”
Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili on Sunday hit back at the British government's decision to impose sanctions on Georgian broadcasters Imedi TV and POSTV, labeling the move “unimaginable absurdity”.
16 March 2026, 12:02
Politics
Georgian President: Georgia seeking common ground with US based on mutual respect
Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili on Sunday said the process of restoring relations with the United States has already begun, emphasising that Tbilisi is approaching the issue with sincerity and readiness for dialogue based on mutual respect and trust.
15 March 2026, 15:28
Politics
“Mirror of pluralism and democracy”: Georgian Parliament Speaker praises Imedi TV on its 23rd anniversary
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Sunday congratulated Imedi TV on its 23rd anniversary, calling it a mirror of pluralism and democracy and emphasising its role as the voice of Georgian society.
15 March 2026, 14:14
Politics
“Ask US administration”: Georgian Parliament Speaker slams EU over human rights, rule of law record
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Saturday criticised what he described as double standards in European politics, stating that recent developments, including what he called an attack on Imedi TV from London, raise questions about the rule of law and media freedom.
15 March 2026, 12:45
Politics
Georgian Parliament official reaffirms Georgia’s uncompromising stance over Russia, stating that diplomatic, political ties remain off table until deoccupation occurs
Nikoloz Samkharadze, the chair of the foreign relations committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Saturday reaffirmed Georgia’s uncompromising stance regarding Russia, stating that diplomatic and political ties remain off the table until deoccupation occurs.
15 March 2026, 11:50
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker rejects ‘foreign policy laboratory’ approach to Georgia
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Saturday said a country unable to defend its own national interests cannot build true partnerships in international relations and risks becoming a vassal state.