Kanyshai Butun
17 April 2026•Update: 17 April 2026
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said Friday that Georgia faces “some specific challenges” in securing its sovereignty and independence from “different multilateral institutions.”
Speaking at a panel titled “Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties” at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on Türkiye’s southern coast, Kobakhidze said Georgia is working to maintain stability, promote prosperity and strengthen connectivity and economic ties with partner countries.
However, he underlined that “specific multilateral organizations,” instead of protecting sovereignty, create challenges for countries, citing Georgia as an example.
He also said Georgia is preparing to become a member of the European Union, adding that the bloc “is facing some very essential and fundamental challenges” related to identity, levels of prosperity and strength in terms of democracy and the rule of law.
“We are very much concerned about that, and we are hopeful that the situation will change in the European Union in the future when we talk about the South Caucasus,” he added.
Kobakhidze also underlined that the scarcity of leadership and the absence of outstanding leaders is one of the most prominent problems in modern world politics, adding that Türkiye and its leader are among the exceptions.
“We are very pleased that we are very strong partners of Türkiye in this direction,” he added.
Kobakhidze said global uncertainties are affecting the South Caucasus, but the region is also gaining strategic importance, noting that Georgia has long served as a reliable bridge between Europe and Asia and aims to further strengthen its connectivity role as trade routes face increasing challenges.
He added that Tbilisi offers key transit services, serving as a hub for the efficient movement of goods, services, energy and digital data, and will continue strengthening this function.
Citing economic data, Kobakhidze said Georgia recorded the highest economic growth rate in Europe over the past five years, averaging 9.3% since 2021, and began this year with 8.4% growth in January and February.
