Relations between countries are generally evaluated with numbers and statistics. Usually trade volumes, investments, cooperation projects, political contacts are put forth at the first instance. However the ties between Turkey and Georgia are much more than mere figures. Our web of relations, stemming from the Georgian Golden Age, enriched during the Ottoman period and flourished after the independence of Georgia, is much more than good-neighbourly relations. Actually, we share not only the same geography, same climate, same morals, same traditions and same cuisine, but also the same principles, same perspectives and same goals. Namely, we have a common future, as we have had a common history.

Shota Rustaveli says that “A friend never spares any pain to assist a friend who is troubled. Heart should be given for heart and love be the bridge of true friendship.” I think that this aphorism expresses the main course of Turkish-Georgian relations. On the occasion of the 86th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey, I would like to share with the readers of The Georgian Times my perspectives on those relations, which are really sealed with “a bridge of true friendship”.

First of all, I would like to emphasise that the Turkish citizens of Georgian origin and the Georgian citizens of Turkish and Muslim identity are one of the main pillars of this “bridge”. This human dimension of our relations is also the engine of their future development.

Our main principle in our relations with Georgia is to support its sovereignty, unity, stability and prosperity. It is needless to say that Turkey attaches great importance to the consolidation of the territorial integrity of Georgia. Furthermore, Turkey believes in the need for Georgia’s integration with the West. With all this in mind, a steady development has been scored in our relations in the last two decades since Georgia regained its independence.

We enjoy excellent political, economic and social relations. Particularly, our trade and business relations have currently reached a significant level. The Free Trade and the Prevention of Double-Taxation Agreements between our countries, which were signed in recent years, have strengthened the legal basis of our ties in these fields. Today Turkey is Georgia’s biggest trade partner and fourth biggest investor. Thanks to the reforms accomplished by the Georgian Government in recent years, Turkish entrepreneurs have a bigger will and interest in doing business in the Georgian market.

Today Batumi airport is also used by Turkey as a domestic airport. We are planning to jointly operate the Sarpi border-gate, in order to accelerate customs procedures. The project for the opening of a third land border-gate in Çıldır-Aktaş/Kartsakhi is underway. Our citizens enjoy a visa-free travel regime to our respective countries. These are examples of our close partnership and cooperation, which makes Georgia unique for us among our neighbours.

On the other hand, Turkey and Georgia cooperate and collaborate not only at bilateral level, but also at regional and multilateral levels. I especially would like to highlight the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway projects. These projects have enabled both Turkey and Georgia, and also Azerbaijan, to play a key role in Eurasian energy lines and transport corridors. With the Nabucco project, this key role will become even more prominent.

Turkey and Georgia do not only share a common land border, but they are also neighbours on the Black Sea. We attach particular importance to enhancing cooperation among all littoral countries. In this context, we aim at developing a regional ownership mentality, which will also facilitate solving our problems in order to promote stability and security in our region.

Along the same line of thinking, Turkey has initiated the Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform. We believe that this initiative will serve to create an environment of mutual confidence through dialogue among the countries of the region.

As I refer once more to Shota Rustaveli, who says that “a rose without thorns has never been plucked”, we have a long way to go to carry our relations to a higher level. However, I am happy to say that both Turkey and Georgia have the determination and the courage of the “Hero in the Panther Skin” to follow this path.

Levent Murat BURHAN
Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey in Tbilisi