Uzbekistan and Georgia: Strategic Partnership Opens New Horizons

Uzbekistan and Georgia have formalized a strategic partnership, placing a strong emphasis on expanding trade and transit opportunities. During his state visit to Tbilisi on 3 July, President Mirziyoyev held talks with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. A day earlier, he met with Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili. The meetings concluded with the signing of a Joint Declaration defining the future course of bilateral cooperation, along with a package of agreements covering a broad range of sectors.

A major diplomatic outcome was Uzbekistan’s decision to open an embassy in Georgia. Until now, Uzbekistan had been represented through its embassy in Baku, despite diplomatic relations existing since 1994.

Economic cooperation is equally ambitious. Bilateral trade reached $270 million in 2025, while turnover since the beginning of 2026 has already exceeded $100 million. Both countries aim to increase annual trade to $1 billion through a dedicated roadmap. Georgian ports in Poti and Batumi will play a key role by handling larger volumes of Uzbek cargo. Plans also include establishing a logistics hub in Georgia with an industrial zone and exhibition facilities for Uzbek products.

Another strategic initiative is linking the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway with the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway currently under construction. This would integrate Georgia into Uzbekistan’s export routes and further boost freight traffic along the Middle Corridor, where cargo volumes have doubled over the past five years and are expected to reach 1.2 million tonnes by the end of 2025.

Cooperation extends beyond logistics. The countries have signed a cooperation programme through 2027 and are considering the creation of a joint investment fund to support bilateral initiatives.

People-to-people ties are also growing stronger. There are now 13 weekly flights between Tashkent and the Georgian cities of Tbilisi and Batumi. Tourism continues to expand steadily: more than 21,500 Uzbek travellers visited Georgia in 2025, while 6,800 Georgian tourists travelled to Uzbekistan—more than double the 2019 figure.

Cultural cooperation is also gaining momentum. Tashkent hosted the Days of Georgian Culture, a park named after Alisher Navoi will be created in Tbilisi, and President Mirziyoyev received Georgia’s highest state award, the Order of the Golden Fleece.

The strategic partnership declaration lays the foundation for large-scale cooperation. For Uzbekistan, Georgia provides access to new markets, while for Georgia it offers an opportunity to strengthen its transit role and expand investment cooperation.