Recently Added: 
This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
President of Georgia Mikheil Kavelashvili, accompanied by his spouse and an official delegation, conducted an official visit to Türkiye on 12 August 2025. The program, which began with an official welcoming ceremony in Ankara, continued with bilateral talks between President Kavelashvili and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a joint press conference, and various protocol events. Discussions during the visit covered bilateral relations, transportation and energy projects, trade and investment targets, and regional security issues.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan meets with President of Georgia Mikheil Kavelashvili at the Presidential Complex, 12 August 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)
President Mikheil Kavelashvili’s visit to Türkiye began on 12 August in Ankara. The visit was carried out with the presence of the President’s spouse and an official delegation. The delegation included Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Lasha Darsalia, Ambassador of Georgia to Türkiye Archil Kalandia, staff from the Presidential Administration, and the Chair and members of the Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group between Türkiye and Georgia.
Following President Kavelashvili’s arrival in Ankara, an official welcoming ceremony was held at the Presidential Complex. His official vehicle was met by a cavalry unit on the avenue in front of the complex and escorted to the protocol entrance.
President Erdoğan welcomes President Kavelashvili at the official ceremony, 12 August 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received President Kavelashvili at the main entrance of the complex. After taking their positions on the ceremonial platform, the national anthems of Türkiye and Georgia were played by a military band.
The ceremony included flags and soldiers representing the 16 Turkish states in history, followed by a 21-gun salute. President Kavelashvili greeted the Honor Guard Regiment with the words “Hello soldier.”
President Erdoğan welcomes President Kavelashvili at the official ceremony, 12 August 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)
Following the official ceremony, the two leaders introduced their respective delegations and shook hands in front of the flags of Türkiye and Georgia on the staircase, posing for the media.
After the completion of the protocol segment, Erdoğan and Kavelashvili proceeded to bilateral talks. The program included a joint press conference and an official dinner in honor of President Kavelashvili.
Representing Türkiye at the ceremony were Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak, AK Party Member of Parliament for Artvin Faruk Çelik, Chief of the Presidential Staff Hakkı Susmaz, Director of Presidential Communications Burhanettin Duran, Presidential Advisor for Foreign Policy and Security Akif Çağatay Kılıç, and Governor of Ankara Vasip Şahin.
Following the official ceremony, the bilateral talks addressed comprehensive issues concerning the current state and future of Türkiye–Georgia relations. Transportation, energy, trade, security, and regional cooperation formed the core agenda items.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan meets with President of Georgia Mikheil Kavelashvili at the Presidential Complex, 12 August 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized the importance of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars (BTK) Railway, which forms the backbone of the Middle Corridor, commencing full-capacity operations. He underlined that full utilization of the line would directly impact regional logistics networks, transit times, and trade volumes.
The strategic significance of energy transportation projects such as the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan Oil Pipeline, the Baku–Tbilisi–Erzurum Natural Gas Pipeline, and the Southern Gas Corridor was also discussed. These projects were noted to contribute to regional energy security and enhance the role of both countries in the global energy market.
It was noted that Türkiye has been Georgia’s largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years, with current trade volume exceeding three billion dollars and a new target set at five billion dollars. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to encouraging mutual investments, with direct Turkish investments in Georgia reaching approximately 2.5 billion dollars.
Kavelashvili highlighted the importance of increasing exports of Georgian products and ensuring that the Free Trade Agreement delivers equal benefits to both parties. The two leaders agreed to continue cooperation in assessing current and potential trade opportunities, expanding the advantages offered by the free trade agreement, and strengthening logistics infrastructure.
Regional security issues were extensively discussed during the talks. President Mikheil Kavelashvili underscored the critical role of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in facilitating peace between the conflicting parties in the Russia–Ukraine war.
Security matters in the Black Sea region were also on the agenda, with Türkiye’s initiatives in the area evaluated. Kavelashvili emphasized the importance of Türkiye’s efforts to ensure security in the Black Sea for regional stability.
Georgia’s willingness to continue contributing to the Azerbaijan–Armenia peace process was expressed, and the trilateral cooperation mechanism among Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Georgia was described as a positive example for regional peace and stability.
Potential contributions to stability in the Middle East were also raised, with Kavelashvili noting Georgia’s readiness for cooperation in this area. The talks emphasized that energy and security issues are mutually reinforcing domains.
Joint press conference held by President Erdoğan and President of Georgia Kavelashvili, 12 August 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)
In joint statements issued during the visit, the “strategic partnership” character of Türkiye–Georgia relations was highlighted. President Kavelashvili defined Türkiye as Georgia’s “strategic partner” and noted that this partnership encompasses multidimensional areas of cooperation.
It was emphasized that the strategic partnership between the two countries must be advanced across a broad spectrum, from transportation and energy projects to trade and investment, regional security, and multilateral diplomatic initiatives. Kavelashvili stressed the importance of holding the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting at the earliest possible opportunity.
President Erdoğan stated that the strategic partnership would be further strengthened by the will of the peoples, particularly reaffirming Türkiye’s continued support for the safe and dignified return process of the Meskhetian Turks.
In his remarks following the talks, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Türkiye and Georgia are not only neighboring countries but also two strategic partners with deep historical, cultural, and human ties.
Joint press conference held by President Erdoğan and President of Georgia Kavelashvili, 12 August 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)
He emphasized the importance of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars Railway, the backbone of the Middle Corridor, beginning full-capacity operations, and noted its strategic value for regional trade and logistics networks.
Erdoğan stated that Türkiye has been Georgia’s largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years, with trade volume surpassing the three billion dollar target and a new goal of five billion dollars. He noted that over 2,000 Turkish companies operate in Georgia and that direct Turkish investments have reached approximately 2.5 billion dollars. He also stated that Turkish construction firms have undertaken 300 projects in Georgia worth 5.5 billion dollars and have shown strong interest in infrastructure projects.
Erdoğan indicated that defense industry and military cooperation were also discussed during the talks. He announced that thanks to the trilateral political and security mechanisms with Azerbaijan and Georgia, regional peace and cooperation have been enhanced, and that a Trilateral Foreign Ministers Meeting and a Trilateral Speakers Meeting are planned for the near future.
He noted that international agenda items such as security in the Black Sea, peace processes in the Caucasus, the war in Ukraine, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza were also addressed. Erdoğan affirmed that Türkiye and Georgia will continue to act together in pursuit of cooperation, peace, and development in the region.
President Mikheil Kavelashvili stated that his visit to Türkiye held special significance for him, as it was his first official visit as President. He emphasized the existence of a solid strategic partnership and multidimensional cooperation between Türkiye and Georgia, and expressed the need to further deepen these relations.
Joint press conference held by President Erdoğan and President of Georgia Kavelashvili, 12 August 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)
Kavelashvili underscored the importance of Türkiye’s support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. He also thanked Türkiye for its support during Georgia’s European Union accession process and noted that Türkiye’s contributions to this process are highly valuable.
Kavelashvili invited President Erdoğan to visit Georgia and expressed his desire for the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting to be held as soon as possible. He stressed the importance of increasing exports of Georgian products to enhance bilateral trade and ensuring that the free trade agreement delivers equal benefits to both countries.
Kavelashvili noted that major infrastructure projects such as the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan Oil Pipeline, the Baku–Tbilisi–Erzurum Natural Gas Pipeline, the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars Railway, and the Southern Gas Corridor were discussed during the talks. He emphasized that these projects strengthen the international role of both countries and add new dimensions to their political cooperation.
He also expressed Georgia’s willingness to pursue close cooperation with Türkiye on ensuring security in the Black Sea, supporting the Azerbaijan–Armenia peace process, and contributing to stability in the Middle East.
Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili, on an official visit to Türkiye, met with TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş at the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye on 13 August 2025. The meeting was held in both one-on-one and delegation formats. TBMM Speaker Kurtulmuş congratulated Kavelashvili on his election as President and extended his wishes for success, emphasizing the importance of the historical and deep-rooted relations between Türkiye and Georgia. It was stated that this visit would contribute to advancing the relations between the two countries.
TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş meets with Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili during his official visit to Türkiye at the Assembly, 13 August 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)
Regarding regional developments, the Russia–Ukraine war, which has been ongoing for over four years in the Black Sea region and has caused severe humanitarian losses, was addressed. It was emphasized that all available means must be mobilized to end the war and achieve a lasting and just peace. Assessments were shared suggesting that some non-regional countries do not wish for the conflict to conclude.
On the Middle East agenda, the approximately two-year-long attacks in Gaza were discussed. It was stated that targeting civilians, children and the elderly during this period is unacceptable. The use of hunger and food aid as a weapon was highlighted, and it was affirmed that these actions must be accounted for before international courts and the conscience of humanity.
TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş meets with Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili during his official visit to Türkiye at the Assembly, 13 August 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)
The meeting also addressed the normalization process initiated between Azerbaijan and Armenia following Azerbaijan’s liberation of its territories. It was assessed that this process would contribute to regional peace, and it was noted that the OSCE Minsk Group, despite monitoring the process for 33 years, has taken no concrete steps and its ineffectiveness has been confirmed.
During the meeting, Türkiye’s continued support for Georgia’s territorial integrity was once again emphasized.
The President of Georgia, Mikheil Kavelashvili, paid an official visit to Türkiye on 12 August 2025 accompanied by his spouse and delegation. He was welcomed at Ankara Esenboğa Airport and attended an official ceremony held at the Presidential Complex. During his meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, bilateral relations transportation and energy projects trade and investment were discussed. Regional security stability in the Black Sea and the Azerbaijan–Armenia peace process were also addressed during the talks.
No Discussion Added Yet
Start discussion for "State Visit of Georgia’s President Mikheil Kavelashvili to Türkiye (2025)" article
August 13, 2025
Start of the Visit and Official Ceremony
August 13, 2025
Main Topics of Bilateral Talks
August 13, 2025
Strategic Partnership
August 13, 2025
Messages from President Erdoğan
August 13, 2025
Messages from President Kavelashvili
August 14, 2025
Meeting Between TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş and Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili (13 August 2025)