Turkey was Georgia's largest trading partner in 2023, with a trade turnover of $2.98bn

In recent history, the positive and amicable relations between Georgia and Turkey serve as an excellent example of the potential for friendship and cooperation between neighbouring states. Turkey was one of the first countries to recognise Georgia's independence in 1918, and in 1991, Turkey was one of the first countries to recognise Georgia's restored independence. On 21 May 1992, a protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Turkey was signed. This was followed on 30 July 1992 by the signing of a treaty on friendship, cooperation and good neighborliness.

Subsequently, further documents were signed, establishing a robust normative foundation for the advancement of bilateral relations across a range of domains, including politics, economics and culture. Of particular significance was the signing of the most pivotal Turkish-Georgian Free Trade Agreement on 21 November 2007, which came into force on 1 November 2008.

Since the inception of Georgia's independence, Turkey has been one of its most supportive countries and a crucial economic partner, assisting during challenging periods. In December 1992, at the height of the separatist war in Abkhazia and in conditions of economic devastation, Turkey provided Georgia with a $50 million loan to purchase food and other necessary goods. Subsequently, trade with Turkey became an alternative to trade in the civil war against separatism on its territory, which helped Georgia to defend its sovereignty and independence.

Turkey unconditionally recognises the territorial integrity of Georgia and is committed to supporting the de-occupation of Abkhazia and Samachablo, as well as the return of Georgian refugees. Turkey hopes that the conflicts on Georgian territory will be resolved peacefully and in a manner that respects Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Furthermore, Turkey supports Georgia's efforts to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the European Union.
One of the most significant developments in bilateral Turkish-Georgian relations was the mutual cancellation of the visa regime and the introduction of border crossing possibilities for holders of domestic identity cards. The relevant protocol between Turkey and Georgia was signed on 31 May 2011 and came into force on 10 December 2011. The citizens of Turkey and Georgia engage in active tourism, contributing to mutual development in this sector.

Turkey has assisted Georgia in realising its transit potential. One of the first joint transit projects between Georgia and Turkey was the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. The pipeline is 1,768 kilometres in length and traverses the territories of three countries: Azerbaijan (443 km), Georgia (249 km) and Turkey (1,076 km). The pipeline has a throughput capacity of 1.2 million barrels of oil per day.

The construction of the pipeline commenced following the signing of a declaration in Ankara on 29 October 1998. The project was completed in 2003, with the official inauguration ceremony held in Ceyhan on 13 July 2006.

The Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline (also known as the South Caucasus Pipeline) represents the next most important energy transport project involving Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan. The pipeline delivers Azeri gas from the Caspian Sea to Georgia and Turkey. Construction of the pipeline was completed between 2004 and 2006, with commissioning taking place in 2017. In Azerbaijan and Georgia, the pipeline runs parallel to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. To minimise environmental impact, the opportunity was taken to lay the pipes of both pipelines at the same time.

The Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) represents an even larger and more promising joint venture between Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan, to supply energy from the Caspian region to Europe. The TANAP project was unveiled on 17 November 2011 at the Third Black Sea Energy and Economic Forum in Istanbul. Construction of the pipeline commenced in March 2015 and the inauguration took place on 12 June 2018.

As of 22 March 2024, the volume of gas delivered through the TANAP pipeline has reached 60 billion m³. It is anticipated that the supply of natural gas through the TANAP pipeline to Europe will be expanded in the future, not only from Azerbaijan but also from Central Asian countries.

The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTC) railway represents the most significant regional project and a pivotal component of the transit routes along the Middle Corridor. This transport corridor connects the railway networks of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, and also serves as a logistical outlet from Europe to the Caspian region, Central Asia and China. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway was constructed in 2017 and underwent a modernisation and capacity expansion in 2023-24. Once the high-speed railway projects are completed, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway will become part of the Europe-Caucasus-Asia high-speed railway corridor.

Turkey represents Georgia's most significant trading partner. Preliminary data from the National Statistics Service of Georgia indicates that Turkey was Georgia's largest trading partner in 2023, with a trade turnover of USD 2.98 billion. Consequently, Turkey represents approximately one-seventh of Georgia's total foreign trade turnover.

Turkey is also the largest foreign investor in Georgia. In the first quarter of 2024, Turkey accounted for 21.2% of the total foreign direct investment in Georgia, with a value of 42.4 million USD.

The development of positive relations between Turkey and Georgia encourages Turkish capital to be invested in Georgia. Turkish companies are playing an active role in the Georgian markets for construction, tourism and telecommunications.
Turkey holds the Georgian cultural and spiritual heritage on its territory in high regard. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the two countries regarding cultural cooperation. The document outlines a plan for the parties to work together with specialists and historians to restore monuments of Ottoman heritage in Georgia and Georgian heritage in Turkey. Turkey is engaged in the restoration and protection of Georgian churches and cathedrals, including those in Oshki, Ishkhani, Khakhuli, and numerous others.

Turkey and Georgia are engaged in collaborative efforts to protect natural resources. In particular, they collaborate on conservation activities in the Black Sea and in the basins of transboundary rivers, such as the Mtkvari and Chorokhi. Consequently, the border regions between Georgia and Turkey are now among the cleanest and most environmentally friendly in the region.

Vladimir Tskhvediani
Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkiye Strategic Partnership Information Support Centre

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