The key facts

  • Mikheil Kavelashvili gave an interview on the sidelines of COP31 in Antalya
  • He called Erdogan a close friend and noted the shared values of the two countries
  • He specifically highlighted cooperation in green energy and joint preparedness for natural disasters

Statement on the Sidelines of the Climate Summit

Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili, speaking on the sidelines of the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, highly praised the strategic partnership between Türkiye and Georgia. In an interview with the Turkish news agency Anadolu, he called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a close friend and noted that the personal relations between the leaders reflect the long-standing ties between the two countries.

Content of the Cooperation

According to Kavelashvili, Tbilisi and Ankara cooperate closely in many areas, and bilateral relations continue to strengthen and expand into new directions. He emphasized the shared values and political approaches of the two countries, above all on issues of preserving national identity, traditions, peace and stability, as well as the importance of mutual trust and dialogue between the leaders against the backdrop of regional conflicts and global challenges.

The Climate Agenda

The Georgian leader congratulated Türkiye and Erdogan on hosting COP31, noting Ankara's efforts to combat climate change and strengthen international cooperation. In his assessment, Türkiye's contribution is not limited to organizing the summit: the country is developing practical solutions and taking concrete steps on global environmental problems.

Energy and Natural Disasters

Kavelashvili highlighted the growing cooperation between Türkiye and Georgia in renewable energy, energy efficiency and environmental protection. Since both countries face growing risks of climate-related natural disasters, he called for closer coordination, information sharing and joint measures to improve emergency preparedness and protect agriculture and food security.

A Shared Ecosystem of the Region

The President of Georgia emphasized that environmental problems go beyond national borders and require collective action. Echoing Erdogan's thesis, he noted that neighboring countries are linked by shared ecosystems, so environmental pollution in one of them directly affects the other. In conclusion, he called for deepening cooperation to protect the shared natural heritage of Türkiye, Georgia and the entire region.