Zurab Pataradze, Chairman of the Government of Ajara, Meets with Turan Ergün, Governor of Artvin Province, During a Working Visit to the Republic of Türkiye

Zurab Pataradze, Chairman of the Government of Ajara, held a bilateral meeting with Turan Ergün, Governor of Artvin Province, during a working visit to the Republic of Türkiye.

The discussions primarily focused on the strategic relations between Georgia and Türkiye within a regional context, the expansion of trade and economic ties between the Ajara and Artvin regions, and the comprehensive development of cross-border infrastructure. Particular emphasis was placed on the prospects of the "Middle Corridor" international transport route. In this framework, Zurab Pataradze highlighted the significance of the new Batumi-Sarpi highway project, noting that it will substantially streamline border-crossing procedures and foster a significant increase in cargo turnover.

Significantly, within the scope of regional cooperation, Chairman Pataradze chose the Republic of Türkiye for his inaugural official visit. According to the Chairman, this decision underscores the high priority attached to deepening the long-standing friendship and strategic partnership with the neighboring region.

The meeting also addressed the positive dynamics of tourism development between the two regions, new collaborative opportunities, and the strengthening of people-to-people ties. Both parties concurred that the implementation of joint cultural, humanitarian, and educational projects should be sustained and expanded on an even larger scale in the future.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their mutual readiness to foster sustainable regional development and further consolidate their partnership.

The high-level meeting was attended by Ednar Nataridze, Minister of Finance and Economy of Ajara; Denis Salukvadze, Minister of Agriculture of Ajara; and other official representatives of the Government of Ajara. The Turkish and diplomatic delegations included Nikoloz Iashvili, Consul General of Georgia in Trabzon; the Deputy Governors of Artvin Province; and Alp Giray, Head of the Kaçkar Regional Directorate of Customs and Foreign Trade.