Pawel Herczynski, the European Union Ambassador to Georgia, on Saturday said the development of Rikoti Pass, a major crossing between eastern and western parts of Georgia, was a “direct contributor” to the advancement of economic and investment projects in the country, bringing Georgia closer to the EU.
In his address at the opening of a 27-kilometre, four-lane section of the Pass, Herczynski noted the highway was a part of the expanded trans-European transport network, providing opportunities for regional integration in the EU through increased connectivity.
Today we are witnesses of a very important stage, the transport connectivity of Georgia with the EU”, the Ambassador stressed, citing the importance of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s participation in this regard in the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels and the significance of the Silk Road Forum held this week in Tbilisi.
Photo via Government Administration
He noted the Global Gateway was the bloc’s strategy to “connect different parts of the EU” and to promote “smart, safe links” in the digital energy and transport sectors, strengthening health, education and research systems worldwide.
As we like to say, we are stronger together through sustainable development. In Georgia, the mentioned strategy [Global Gateway] is implemented through economic and investment plans, taking into account its flagship projects, which are linked to international connectivity. This includes the mentioned East-West highway”, Herczynski added.
The EU official also said the bloc’s grants, allocated for road safety, were used for the construction works at Rikoti Pass, which would “seriously contribute” to the improvement of regional integration, while at the same time mitigating the risks associated with road traffic.
Herczynski cited Garibashvili’s address at the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, in which the latter said Georgia aspired to become a regional transit hub and centre of East-West transport routes, and the Ambassador added “let’s move forward together to connect Georgia with the EU”.
