Yesterday, 9 June, the Embassy of Georgia is organized a reception in one of the most emblematic buildings in Madrid, the Linares Palace, to celebrate Georgia’s National Day, our Independence Day. This holiday, which is officially celebrated on 26 May, reflects the firm will of the Georgian people to live in a free, democratic and dignified state, in perfect harmony with European values. Unfortunately, the Democratic Republic of Georgia had a short life of only three years, due to the country’s occupation by Soviet Russia and in 1991, Georgia restored its independence.its independence.
This year is especially significant and symbolic due to another historical date of great importance: we commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the declaration of Christianity as an official religion in Georgia. It was precisely Christianity that laid the spiritual and cultural foundations that, over the centuries, defined the identity of the Georgian state, strengthened national unity, and preserved in the Georgian people the love for the homeland, the idea of freedom and their own identity.
The three millennia history of Georgia’s statehood and our constant struggle for freedom also determined our country’s current choice: Georgia sees its future within the great European family, which represents the will of the vast majority of the Georgian people and constitutes a constitutional mandate. Georgia’s European integration is a historic and values-based choice, founded on freedom, democracy, and progress. On this path, Spain’s support is of paramount importance. Its 40 years of experience in the European Union and political support play a key role in Georgia’s European integration. I would like to point out with particular gratitude that it was precisely under the Spanish Presidency of the Council of EU that Georgia was granted the status of a candidate country for the European Union. I would like to reaffirm once again that the main priority of Georgia’s foreign policy – our European and Euro-Atlantic integration – is firm and irreversible.
The friendly relations between Georgia and Spain have deepened significantly in recent years. Political dialogue and economic and cultural ties are being actively developed; however, the potential of our cooperation is even greater. Therefore, we express our firm hope that in the near future an embassy of Spain will be opened with full effect in Georgia, which will help to create new opportunities for collaboration between both nations. I would also like to stress that the parliamentary dimension plays a fundamental role in our bilateral relations. The Parliament of Georgia and the Cortes Generales of Spain maintain a very active cooperation. Moreover, parliamentary diplomacy further consolidates political dialogue, and this year is particularly remarkable in that regard, as, after 15 years, political consultations between the Foreign Ministries have resumed, which were held in Madrid earlier this year.
Inter-institutional cooperation plays an essential role in deepening bilateral ties. In this area, the successful partnership between the security forces and the interior ministries of Georgia and Spain should be highlighted. Mutual coordination in the fight against organized crime not only yields practical results, but also strengthens strategic cooperation and builds trust between the two countries.
On the other hand, economic cooperation is another key pillar of our relations. Spain, as a robust economy within the European Union, and Georgia, as an emerging and dynamic market, lay the groundwork for a mutually beneficial partnership. Sectors such as tourism, energy, agriculture and infrastructure offer particularly promising prospects. Georgia has achieved remarkable economic success, ranking at the top of international rankings. If we look at the numbers, Georgia’s progress in recent years is impressive. Between 2021 and 2026, our economy has grown at an average rate of 9.8%, while in the World Bank’s Business Ready (B-READY) 2025 report, Georgia ranked among the top four countries out of a total of 101 economies, along with South Korea, Singapore and Estonia, which underscores the very favorable environment our country offers for business.
These positive trends are reflected in the economic cooperation between Georgia and Spain. Spanish companies’ interest in the Georgian market is increasing, while Georgian companies are increasingly evaluating opportunities to access the Spanish market, opening important prospects for deepening our bilateral economic partnership. We need to maintain these growth rates, an objective that is also crucial from the perspective of the enlargement of the European Union, as we must be a competitive country among other European nations.
In the current geopolitical situation, Georgia’s role in connectivity has acquired significant relevance. Our country represents a strategic bridge between Europe and Asia, whose importance is not limited to its geographical location, but is based on the effective use of opportunities that Georgia has generated in the field of regional cooperation and transit. In light of the war in Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East, and disruption to global supply chains, the Middle Corridor has acquired paramount importance as a stable and sustainable transit route. In parallel with maintaining economic stability, investor confidence and peace in the region, Georgia is implementing key strategic projects such as: Anaklia deep-sea port; East-West highway; Baku-Tbilisi railwayKars; The submarine cable of the Black Sea. These initiatives position the country as a transport, energy, and digital connectivity hub, becoming a crucial nerve center for the South Caucasus, the Caspian Sea region, and seven landlocked countries in Central Asia. Moreover, through its free-trade agreements with the European Union, China, Turkey, and many other partners, Georgia ensures access to a market of more than 2.3 billion consumers worldwide. Therefore, supporting Georgia and making the most of its connectivity potential is not only a matter of national interest, but also of regional and global concern. Georgia’s regional importance is not limited to its economic and transit functions alone. Our country actively supports peace and stability in the South Caucasus and appreciates the involvement of the United States in the process of consolidating regional stability. At the same time, Georgia has consistently advocated for peaceful dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as evidenced by numerous high-level meetings and formats of dialogue held in Tbilisi. As a result, Georgia is now consolidating itself in the region not only as a platform for connectivity, but also for cooperation and peace promotion.
As we celebrate our independence, we must not forget the challenges facing Georgia. Two regions of our country are occupied by the Russian Federation, which maintains an illegal military presence on Georgian territory. We are neither a member of NATO nor part of any other military alliance, which puts Georgia in an even more complex position in the current geopolitical context. Nevertheless, despite the difficult global security environment, Georgia continues to develop, strengthening its democratic institutions and cooperating with its international partners. This demonstrates that independence is not just a state achieved, but an ongoing process requiring effort, unity, and responsibility. But a continuous process that requires effort unity and responsibility.
Finally, I would like to draw attention to a special historical and symbolic link that unites Georgia and Spain: the concept of the “Two Iberias,” which was already mentioned in the Greco-Roman sources. In the west is the Iberian peninsula, and in the east, the ancient kingdom of Iberia in the Caucasus, that is, modern Georgia. This historical analogy is not just an interesting coincidence; it is the symbolic expression of our cultural closeness and shared values. Today, the collaboration between Iberian spaces takes on a new meaning, as cultural exchanges, contacts between peoples and joint projects further strengthen cooperation and vision of a common future between Georgia and Spain.
To conclude, Georgia’s Independence Day reminds us that our country’s future is in our hands. The alliance between Georgia and Spain is a fundamental support on this path. Together, based on shared values, we are building a stronger, freer, and more prosperous future.