At the decision of Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia, Black Sea Arena is launching a wide-scale campaign in Georgia branded as Starring Georgia. Main goal of the campaign is to promote the country and to boost its tourism, economic and cultural potential.

A high-level Steering Committee meeting within the Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Field of Green Energy Development and Transmission between the Governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary was held in Tbilisi. The Parties to the Agreement emphasized the importance of cooperation in Green Energy Development and Transmission as well as energy security thus underlining the significance of implementation of the Black Sea Submarine Cable project.

The Vice Prime Minister of Georgia, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Davitashvili, opened the meeting. Minister of Finance of Georgia Lasha Khutsishvili, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Aleksandre Khvtisiashvili, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Péter Szijjártó, Director of Azerbaijan Renewable Energy Agency Javid Abdullayev and State Secretary of the Ministry of Energy of Romania, George-Sergiu Niculescu also attended the event. European Union Ambassador to Georgia Paweł Herczyński, Regional Director of the World Bank in the South Caucasus Sebastian Molyneux, General Director of “Georgian State Electric System” Giorgi Gigineishvili and other high-ranking guests also took part in the event.

The Black Sea Submarine Cable project will be implemented with the support of the Georgian Government and the cooperation of the Georgian and Romanian transmission system operators – “Georgian State Electric System” and “Transelectrica”. On December 17, 2022, an Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Field of Green Energy Development and Transmission between the Governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary was signed. One of the important issues of the Agreement was the Black Sea Submarine Cable project – upon the implementation of the project, a 1195-kilometer cable will connect Georgia and Romania (1100 km underwater and 95 km on-land cable). The Cable will allow the countries of the South Caucasus and Romania to take advantage of expanded export opportunities and trade based on the hourly prices of the electricity market.

The Black Sea Submarine Cable is a strategic project and a great investment opportunity for Georgia and its neighbouring countries. It will contribute to the development of the renewable energy sector, increase transit opportunities and bilateral trade potential between the EU and the South Caucasus region, which in turn will ensure a sustainable and reliable energy future for the regions.

At this stage, "Georgian State Electric System" with the help of consulting company CESI is carrying out a feasibility study of the project. In the future, within the framework of the project, environmental and social impact assessment and geophysical and geotechnical studies of the Black Sea bottom will also be carried out. The possibilities and best ways of practical implementation of the project will also be determined. The committee will review a presentation prepared by CESI outlining ongoing and planned activities within the feasibility study.

Next meeting of the Steering Committee established within the frame of the Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Field of Green Energy Development and Transmission between the Governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary will be held in Bucharest. 

The EU will be ready to provide financial support for the Black Sea Energy submarine cable project, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on 17 December, attending the signing in the Romanian capital Bucharest of a memorandum of understanding between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary and Romania, which envisages the laying of an underwater electricity cable across the Black Sea. 

Ursula von der Leyen said the agreement would bring the European Union closer to its partners in the South Caucasus region, and would help both regions achieve the clean energy transition. “Since the beginning of Russia’s war, we have decided to turn our back on Russian fossil fuels and to diversify towards reliable energy partners, like the partners here around the table. And it is working,” said the European Commission President.

She added the initiative would reinforce energy security in Europe and bring new opportunities to Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine: “This project could bring Georgia, a country with a European destiny, great benefits as well. It could transform the country into an electricity hub and integrate it in the EU internal electricity market. Finally, the Black Sea electric cable could also help bring electricity to our neighbours in Moldova and the Western Balkans, and of course to Ukraine – it will help start rebuilding Ukraine’s energy system and the reconstruction of the country.”

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Georgia, Ilia Darchiashvili received the ambassador-designate of the Republic of Bulgaria to Georgia, Veselin Valkanov.
The Minister congratulated the Bulgarian diplomat on his appointment to the position of ambassador and wished him success in his future work in Georgia.
The sides welcomed the traditionally friendly relations between Georgia and Bulgaria. Discussions focused on important issues of the agenda of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
The sides exchanged views on the existing trade and economic relations between the two countries, and positively appraised the fact that Bulgaria remains among the top ten trade partners over the past few years.
Special attention was paid to the role of the Black Sea region not only in maintaining security, but also in strengthening cooperation in the fields of transport, communications and energy.
Against the background of the security challenges facing the region, the sides highlighted the importance of international partners’ support for Georgia’s foreign policy priorities.
Special attention was paid to the important decision to give Georgia a European perspective and to Georgia's irreversible progress on the path of European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
The ambassador once again confirmed Bulgaria's unwavering support for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as for its European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
The Bulgarian diplomat expressed readiness to further strengthen the relations between the two countries.

MFA of Georgia

The Speaker, H.E. Shalva Papuashvili, met with Asaf Hajiyev, Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC).
According to the administration of the Parliament of Georgia, given the current regional issues, Shalva Papuashvili believes that collaboration among Black Sea countries is extremely vital. PABSEC, he says, is an excellent venue for bolstering regional partnerships.

At the meeting, current events in Ukraine and the Black Sea region were discussed. The Russian intervention in Ukraine is expected to have major ramifications for the region and the world, according to the sides.

In modern international relations, the Secretary-General emphasized the necessity of countries' support for each other's sovereignty and the concept of territorial integrity.

The parties emphasized their willingness to continue their positive cooperation in the Black Sea region.

The representatives of the MIA Border Police Coast Guard Department and the USS Arleigh Burke crew conducted joint exercises in the Black Sea.

Three Coast Guard ships OCHAMCHIRE (P23), SOKHUMI (P24) and DIOSKURIA (P25) participated in the exercise.

During the exercise, the ships performed tactical manoeuvres and worked together to improve various elements.

The purpose of the joint exercises was to share experiences between two naval units, improve the interaction between the crews and strengthen the MIA Border Police Coast Guard capabilities.

Source: MIA Border Police