Kyrgyzstan and Georgia have agreed to broaden collaboration in transport, trade, investment and education following the official visit of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to Bishkek. Discussions between the two countries placed strong attention on transport cooperation and the strategic importance of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway in strengthening regional connectivity. According to Kyrgyzstan’s Presidential Press Service, the visit was particularly significant as it represented the first official trip to Kyrgyzstan by a Georgian prime minister since diplomatic relations were established between the two nations 34 years ago.
Following bilateral talks, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said, “This first official visit to Kyrgyzstan by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze is historic.”
“It marks the beginning of a new stage in the development of Kyrgyz-Georgian relations,” he added.
During the meetings, both sides reviewed a wide spectrum of issues covering political engagement, economic ties, investment prospects, cultural relations and transport connectivity. A key element of the discussions centered on transport cooperation through the planned integration of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway with Georgia’s transport and port infrastructure on the Black Sea.
Referring to the project, Japarov said, “In June 2024, a trilateral agreement was signed on the construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway.”
He further noted, “This project is one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the region and will become an integral part of the modern transport architecture of Eurasia.”
The Kyrgyz president reported that approximately 9,000 workers and more than 6,000 pieces of equipment have already been mobilized for construction activities associated with the railway.
Japarov emphasized that the railway is expected to substantially increase cargo transit through Kyrgyzstan and toward Georgian seaports, creating stronger commercial connections between Central Asia, the South Caucasus and international markets.
The leaders also reviewed bilateral trade relations, acknowledging recent positive growth while recognizing that considerable opportunities remain untapped. Both governments expressed readiness to increase trade turnover, support direct business engagement and attract additional investment initiatives. Kyrgyzstan encouraged Georgian companies to participate more actively in transport and logistics, agriculture, tourism and other sectors, further reinforcing transport cooperation and broader economic collaboration between the two countries. The talks additionally covered the possibility of launching direct flights between Kyrgyzstan and Georgia, a step that could support tourism, business travel and people-to-people contacts.
Following the negotiations, the two sides signed a joint statement along with several bilateral agreements related to aviation cooperation, customs information exchange, education, sports, veterinary services, environmental protection, legal cooperation and state asset management.
Georgian Prime Minister Kobakhidze reiterated Georgia’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Kyrgyzstan across numerous sectors, including trade, agriculture, tourism, culture, sports and environmental protection. Concluding the visit, Kobakhidze invited Japarov to make an official visit to Georgia, an invitation that the Kyrgyz president accepted.
