Georgia signed a strategic partnership agreement with Kazakhstan just a few days ago and has now done the same with Uzbekistan. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's visit to Georgia can therefore undoubtedly be considered highly successful, Archil Sikharulidze, founder of the SIKHA Foundation research institute, told The Caspian Post.

According to him, Georgia's minister of economy is currently presenting a number of strategic projects to the Uzbek delegation, including the Anaklia deep-water port.

Sikharulidze noted that cooperation with Central Asia is extremely important for Georgia, particularly in terms of unlocking the full potential of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, which has yet to be fully utilised.

"Current trade turnover still leaves much to be desired. Therefore, it is very important for the Central Asian countries to recognise Georgia's role as a transit hub. This is also highly important for Azerbaijan, because goods arriving from Central Asia through Baku must continue their journey safely. In this sense, Georgia's efforts to engage Central Asian countries more actively in regional processes further strengthen Baku's position," he said.

Sikharulidze emphasised that it was also important not to overlook the Black Sea energy cable project being developed by Georgia and Azerbaijan, describing it as another highly significant initiative. According to him, relations between Tbilisi and Baku have now reached an entirely new level.

"Georgia's active efforts to engage Central Asian countries are linked to the diversification of the country's foreign policy. Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Georgia found itself in a difficult position, as it refused to join Western efforts aimed at inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia. The collective West, particularly the European Union, is now pursuing active political measures against the government in Tbilisi. Georgia therefore needs new partners who can, first, help stabilise the country and, second, demonstrate to Brussels that Europe needs Georgia more than Tbilisi needs Europe," he said.

According to Sikharulidze, these strategic partnerships send a clear message from Tbilisi to Europe.

"The message is that Georgia is not merely a country seeking EU membership, but also one that Europe itself needs. Without Georgia, Europe will be unable to strengthen its position in the South Caucasus or fully benefit from the opportunities offered by the Middle Corridor," he concluded.