On 23 October 2026, a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Georgia and Central Asian countries—Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—took place in Batumi.
Special attention was devoted to the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor), which connects Asia and Europe. The participants discussed ways to enhance its competitiveness by upgrading infrastructure, digitalizing cargo transportation, and streamlining transit procedures. The ministers emphasized the strategic importance of making efficient use of the nations’ logistics infrastructure, including seaports and railway networks.
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan was represented at the meeting by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov. The Turkmen delegation put forward several proposals aimed at fostering mutually beneficial transregional cooperation between Central Asia and Georgia, including the need to strengthen engagement with international organizations such as the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the Organization for Co-operation between Railways (OSJD), and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Highlighting the importance of cooperation in the telecommunications sector, the Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan noted the project to construct telecommunications networks, including laying a fiber-optic cable along the Caspian–Black Sea Corridor.
Kazakhstan
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi emphasized the necessity of coordinated action to unlock the transport and transit potential of Central Asia and the South Caucasus. Building sustainable and predictable logistics links creates additional opportunities for expanding mutual trade, attracting investment, and accessing external markets.
Kyrgyzstan
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek Kulubaev highlighted the importance of deepening political dialogue alongside developing practical interaction in specific sectors. It was proposed to focus joint efforts on diversifying trade and logistics routes, driving digital transformation, attracting investment, and advancing industrial cooperation.
Tajikistan
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, the heads of foreign ministries discussed strengthening political dialogue, expanding regional cooperation, and developing ties across trade and economic, transport and communications, as well as cultural and humanitarian spheres.
Uzbekistan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan reported that the sides paid particular attention to further deepening political and diplomatic dialogue, diversifying transport and logistics corridors, broadening trade, economic, and investment ties, and fostering industrial cooperation.
The participants also reviewed prospects for sectoral cooperation, including joint projects in agriculture, textiles, chemicals, energy, and electrical engineering, as well as strengthening direct ties between business communities and regions of Central Asian countries and the South Caucasus.
Georgia
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Maka Botchorishvili emphasized that closer strategic cooperation with Central Asian countries represents a key foreign policy priority for Georgia, driven by contemporary global challenges.
“Today developing the Middle Corridor is especially important. This route connects Central Asia, the South Caucasus and, across the Black Sea, Europe. Georgia has an important role in developing this link and expanding transport capacity, and realising the Middle Corridor’s full potential is in our shared strategic interest. That requires close coordination, developed infrastructure and strong political will,” the Minister said.
According to her, cooperation among the six countries extends beyond economy and transport, being equally vital for building political trust and promoting peace and stability in the region.
She noted that important steps have been taken in this direction recently: this year Georgia established strategic partnerships with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan; the Turkmen President’s state visit in July proved pivotal in strengthening bilateral ties; and in June, the Georgian Prime Minister made his first official visit to Kyrgyzstan, alongside key meetings held in Tajikistan.
Visit to the Port of Batumi
On the occasion of the first meeting of foreign ministers of Georgia and Central Asian countries, the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, together with Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, visited the Port of Batumi.
According to the foreign ministry of Georgia, Director of the Maritime Transport Agency Ivane Abashidze briefed the guests on the operations of Georgia’s seaports, existing transit capabilities, as well as ongoing and planned infrastructure projects.
Particular attention was paid to Georgia’s strategic importance as a transport and logistics hub connecting Europe and Asia, as well as the role of the country’s seaports in the development of the Middle Corridor. The strategic significance of the Anaklia deep-sea port was also highlighted. /// nCa, 25 October 2026