Erdoğan Welcomes Georgian President: Emphasis on Enhancing Strategic Cooperation
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan officially welcomed Georgian President Miheil Chavchavadze at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. The ceremony included a cavalry escort for the guest’s vehicle, the playing of both national anthems, and a 21-gun salute. Flags representing 16 historical Turkic states and Turkish Armed Forces representatives were also present.
Following bilateral talks, the two leaders held a joint press conference. Erdoğan emphasized the depth of historical and cultural ties between the two countries, describing the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) Railway Project as the backbone of the Middle Corridor (Asia-Europe transport route). He stated that the railway’s full operational capacity was important for both nations.
Erdoğan announced that bilateral trade volume had exceeded $3 billion, with a new target of $5 billion. He added that Turkey’s direct investments in Georgia total approximately $2.5 billion, with around 2,000 Turkish companies operating in the country. Turkish contracting firms have so far executed 300 projects worth $5.5 billion in Georgia.
The Turkish President reiterated his country’s support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He announced plans to hold an upcoming trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia in Ankara. Erdoğan also raised the issue of Ahiska (Meskhetian) Turks (a minority exiled from Georgia’s border regions in 1944) returning to their homeland, pledging Turkey’s support for this process.
The two leaders also exchanged views on developments in Ukraine, the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and Black Sea security. Concluding his remarks, Erdoğan referenced the Turkey-Georgia football match scheduled for September 4 in Tbilisi, expressing hope that this sporting event would contribute to friendship between the peoples of both countries.
