On May 16, the official visit of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to the Republic of Turkey commenced. Upon his arrival at Ankara Esenboğa Airport, Prime Minister Kobakhidze was warmly welcomed by Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Turkey, along with other officials. As part of his itinerary, Prime Minister Kobakhidze paid tribute to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk by laying a wreath at his resting place. Accompanied by his delegation, the Head of Government visited Atatürk's Mausoleum.

Subsequently, Prime Minister Kobakhidze met with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of the Republic of Turkey. During this one-on-one session, both leaders underscored the significance of the strategic partnership between Georgia and Turkey, affirming their commitment to further enhancing cooperation across various domains.

The discussions emphasized the advancement of regional, trade, and economic, as well as transport and energy cooperation, focusing on the pivotal role of connectivity and transit functions. Highlighting the Republic of Turkey as Georgia's foremost trade partner, the leaders explored avenues for bolstering bilateral trade and fostering deeper economic ties. Moreover, attention was directed toward collaboration in the education, defense, and security sectors, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the bilateral relationship. The ongoing developments in the Near East were also deliberated upon, with both sides advocating for the imperative of peace negotiations supported by the international community. Emphasizing the paramount importance of regional peace and stability, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to promoting constructive cooperation in the South Caucasus. 

Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Cooperation

During Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's official visit to the Republic of Turkey, a significant milestone was achieved by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Cooperation between the two nations. This pivotal agreement aims to reinforce and deepen the existing partnership between Georgia and Turkey.

The memorandum sets the stage for exchanging knowledge and expertise in various fields, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, infrastructure digitalization, and carbon footprint reduction. Both countries aspire to harness their collective potential for sustainable development and environmental stewardship by facilitating collaboration in these crucial areas.

The Memorandum of Understanding was formally signed by Georgia's Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Levan Davitashvili, and the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Turkey, Alparslan Bayraktar. The signing ceremony was graced by the presence of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, underscoring the significance and commitment of both nations to advancing energy cooperation for mutual benefit.

Press statements

President Erdoğan expressed his satisfaction with the exchange of information provided by Prime Minister Kobakhidze regarding the developments in Georgia. He reiterated Turkey's belief that these events will ultimately serve the best interests of the Georgian people. President Erdoğan highlighted the significant growth in bilateral trade between Turkey and Georgia, setting a new target of reaching 5 billion USD. He expressed confidence in the potential to achieve this target swiftly and emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, particularly in projects like the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railroad, which revitalizes the historical Silk Road.

President Erdoğan pledged Turkey's readiness to engage in Georgia's major projects, including airport and seaport construction and energy initiatives, such as building transmission lines. He also emphasized cooperation in security matters, particularly in combating organized crime and terrorist organizations like FETO and PKK, both domestically and internationally.

Regarding global issues, President Erdoğan and Prime Minister Kobakhidze discussed developments in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the importance of international engagement and support for the Palestinian people's fight for freedom within legal and diplomatic frameworks. They also exchanged views on the Ukraine-Russia war, expressing support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty and advocating for peace in the Caucasus region.

Prime Minister Kobakhidze reiterated Georgia's support for peace in the Near East through negotiations supported by the international community. He emphasized the importance of deeper regional cooperation in trade, economy, transportation, and energy, highlighting the strategic partnership between Turkey and Georgia and the successful trilateral cooperation with Azerbaijan. The leaders also discussed various strategic projects connecting their countries and underscored the significance of collaboration in education, defense, and security.