During an official visit to Ankara, the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili, emphasized the critical importance of peace, regional cooperation, and strategic connectivity for the development and stability of the South Caucasus.

Speaking to Georgian journalists, Papuashvili underscored that ensuring a secure and peaceful environment remains one of the region’s primary challenges—and a shared priority for both Georgia and Turkey.

“We had a meeting in the Turkish Parliament with the Speaker, members of the Friendship Group, and various committees,” Papuashvili said. “Our discussions focused on key issues affecting the peaceful development and prosperity of our nations. Parliamentary diplomacy plays a crucial role in addressing these regional challenges.”

Papuashvili highlighted the strategic significance of the Middle Corridor—a transport and trade route linking Asia and Europe—especially amid recent changes in air travel routes. “This situation has once again demonstrated that peace fosters development, while conflict breeds instability,” he remarked.

He reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to deepening parliamentary cooperation and recalled the trilateral parliamentary format involving Georgia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, which had been delayed due to the 2023 earthquake. “We have now agreed to hold the first trilateral meeting later this year, with regional cooperation as a central theme,” he announced.

Looking ahead, Papuashvili shared plans for further engagement, including hosting a Turkish parliamentary delegation in Georgia and an upcoming visit by Georgia’s Defense and Security Committee to Turkey in the fall. These efforts, he noted, are part of the ongoing implementation of the bilateral memorandum of cooperation.

The Georgian delegation, led by Papuashvili, is in Turkey at the invitation of Numan Kurtulmuş, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.