Georgia joins EU transport network with Anaklia port at heart of Middle Corridor

Georgia has been formally integrated into the European Union's Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), bringing Anaklia Deep-Sea Port, Georgian Railway's main line and the East-West Highway into the network's expanded framework.

Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Tamar Ioseliani announced the move, highlighting Georgia's growing role as a transport link between Europe and Central Asia.

A shift in Europe's view of Georgia's infrastructure

Speaking on Postv's “Strong Economy, Strong Sovereignty,” Ioseliani said the inclusion reflects a broader shift in Brussels' approach to Georgia's transport infrastructure.

Rather than treating Georgia's port, railway and highway as separate assets, the EU now views them as parts of an integrated transport chain linking Europe with Central Asia.

The move builds on a process that began in 2019, when TEN-T was first extended to the Eastern Partnership region. A 2026 European Commission study went further, identifying Anaklia Port as a strategic priority in the expansion and explicitly linking it to the EU's development of the Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor.

The route is central to European efforts to strengthen trade links with Central Asia while bypassing Russian territory.

Anaklia's role in the Middle Corridor

Ioseliani said Anaklia's strategic importance extends beyond the port itself, with its value also stemming from its connections to Georgia's rail and road infrastructure and, in turn, the wider Middle Corridor.

She pointed to the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway as evidence that the corridor is already operating in practice. Fully operational since June 2026, the railway connects Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye and is now considered an integral part of the Middle Corridor.

International lenders take a closer look

The project is also attracting attention from major international financial institutions. Ioseliani confirmed that representatives from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have visited the Anaklia construction site to review progress on both the port infrastructure and the broader project.

She described the visits as part of active and ongoing cooperation with both organisations.

The engagement points to growing international interest in Anaklia as Georgia seeks wider investment support for the project.

Economic impact beyond port revenue

According to Ioseliani, the port's economic benefits will extend beyond shipping and transit revenue.

She said the project has the potential to attract new investment, stimulate manufacturing activity and create jobs across the wider economy, positioning Anaklia as a catalyst for economic growth rather than simply a standalone infrastructure asset.

Tags

Georgia Anaklia port Middle corridor Caspian Sea World Bank Asian Development Bank