‘Black Sea does not divide the EU and Georgia but unites us’ – EU Ambassador visits Poti

On 25 June, EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell visited Poti to mark International Seafarer’s Day. He congratulated in person the seafarers and students of the Poti Maritime Education and Training Centre, a branch of the Batumi State Maritime Academy.

“The Black Sea does not divide the EU and Georgia but unites us. The Georgian authorities have set as a priority the reinforcement of EU-Georgia transport connectivity over the Black Sea. And it is a political priority that the EU fully supports,” said Carl Hartzell. “We believe in addition that Georgia has the potential to develop into a hub between Asia and the European Union. It is for this reason that we are supporting sustainable, rules-based and secure transport connectivity between the EU and Georgia.”

The Ambassador reminded that a total 156 km of roads have been built or under construction in Georgia along the East-West Highway, with the direct support of the EIB and EU grant funding. This year, the EU also started a new project with Georgian Railways to reinforce safety and interoperability of this sector, and the attractiveness of Georgia as a transit hub. 

The EU also has contributed to improving safety, security, training and working conditions in the maritime sector. “Georgian flagged vessels are now recognised around the world, Georgian seafarers can be employed on EU Member States flagged vessels, local working conditions in the sector are becoming safer and the Georgian maritime sector is growing more competitive,” said Hartzell.

EU experts also helped to prepare the first ever Georgian maritime transport strategy. Currently, the EU and Georgia are developing regular freight ferry feeder transportation links and reinforcing energy efficiency in Georgian ports.

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Press release