Georgian seafarers and maritime professionals are an important resource for Georgia and ensuring access to modern education and high professional standards for them is our priority. The Prime Minister of Georgia said this in his address at the opening of Georgia’s International Maritime Forum in Batumi.

“Our goal is to make the Middle Corridor faster, more reliable and more predictable. To achieve this, coordinated action and further strengthening of connectivity across the Black Sea are essential.

Human capital is at the heart of these efforts. Georgian seafarers and maritime professionals are an important resource for Georgia and ensuring access to modern education and high professional standards for them is our priority. In close cooperation with the International Maritime Organization, we stand ready to continue making an active contribution to strengthening international maritime standards in the Black Sea region.

Safe navigation in the Black Sea, as well as peace, stability and respect for the principles of international law in the region, are of particular importance. Georgia remains committed to international law and a rules-based maritime order. Georgia has successfully fulfilled all the obligations it undertook in the maritime transport sector under the Association Agreement with the European Union and continues to implement international maritime standards.

I believe that the Georgian International Maritime Forum will contribute to strengthening partnerships, further developing regional connectivity and creating new opportunities for Georgia, the Black Sea region and the Middle Corridor as a whole”, - said Irakli Kobakhidze.