Foreign relations of Georgia

Georgia's location, nestled between the Black Sea, Russia, and Turkey, renders it strategically important. It is developing as the gateway from the Black Sea to the Caucasus and the larger Caspian region, but also serves as a buffer between Russia and Turkey. Georgia has a long and tumultuous relationship with Russia, but it is reaching out to its other neighbours and looking to the West in search of alternatives and opportunities. It signed a partnership and cooperation agreement with the European Union, participates in the Partnership for Peace, and encourages foreign investment. France, Germany, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States all have embassies in Tbilisi. Georgia in 2004-2008 sought to become a member of NATO, but did not succeed in the face of strong Russian opposition.

Georgia is a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE.

Because of its strategic location, Georgia is in both the Russian and American spheres of influence; however, Georgia's relationship with Russia is at its lowest point since 1921 due to Russo-Georgian War. As a result, Georgia broke off diplomatic relations with Russia and has left the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Georgia maintains diplomatic relations with:

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|See Egypt–Georgia relations

Egypt is represented in Georgia through its embassy in Yerevan (Armenia).
Georgia has an embassy in Cairo.
Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Egypt
Georgian foreign minister visits Egypt

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|See Georgia–South Africa relations

South Africa is represented in Georgia through its embassy in Kyiv (Ukraine).
Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relations with South Africa
South African Department of Foreign Affairs about the relations with Georgia

Americas

{| class="wikitable sortable"

!width="15%"| Country

!width="12%"| Formal Relations Began

!Notes

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|||April 1993

|See Brazil–Georgia relations

Brazil has an embassy in Tbilisi.
Georgia has an embassy in Brasília.

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|||23 July 1992

|See Canada–Georgia relations

Canada is accredited to Georgia from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
Georgia has an embassy in Ottawa.

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|See Georgia–Mexico relations

Georgia has an embassy in Mexico City.
Mexico is accredited to Georgia from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey and maintains an honorary consulate in Tbilisi.

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| —

|See Georgia–Nicaragua relations

Nicaraguan-Georgian diplomatic relations established on 19 September 1994||See Georgia–United States relations

On 9 January 2009, the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze signed a Charter on Strategic Partnership, a nonbinding document outlining areas of cooperation and reiterating the U.S. support for Georgia's territorial integrity and to Georgia's NATO membership.

Asia

{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"

!width="15%"| Country

!width="12%"| Formal Relations Began

!Notes

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|See Armenia–Georgia relations

There are nearly 250,000 Armenians in Georgia, among them 115,000 living in Samtskhe-Javakheti and 83,000 in Tbilisi. The Georgian minority in Armenia is less sizable.
Armenia and Georgia have a long history of cultural and political relations. The interaction peaked in the Middle Ages when both nations engaged in prolific cultural dialogue and allied themselves against the neighboring Muslim empires. There were frequent intermarriages between Armenian and Georgian the royal and noble families and both ethnicities intermingled in several border areas.
Armenia has an embassy in Tbilisi and a general consulate in Batumi.
Georgia has an embassy in Yerevan.
Both countries are full members of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly and the EU's Eastern Partnership.

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|See Azerbaijan–Georgia relations

There are 284,761 Azeris in Georgia. They are the largest minority of Georgia and comprise 6.5% of Georgia's population mostly in Kvemo Kartli, Kakheti, Shida Kartli and Mtskheta-Mtianeti. There is also a large Azeri community in the capital city of Tbilisi.

|See China–Georgia relations

China recognized the independence of Georgia on 27 December 1991.
China has an embassy in Tbilisi.
Georgia has an embassy in Beijing.
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relations with Georgia
Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relations with China

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Georgia is represented in Timor by its embassy in Jakarta.

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|See Georgia–Hong Kong relations

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|See Georgia–India relations

Georgia has an embassy in New Delhi.
India is represented in Georgia through its embassy in Yerevan (Armenia) and an honorary consulate in Tbilisi.
Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with India

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|See Persia-Georgia relations, Georgia–Iran relations

Persia and Georgia have had relations for thousands of years.

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|See Georgia–Iraq relations

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|||||See Georgia–Israel relations

Georgia has an embassy in Tel Aviv.
Israel has an embassy in Tbilisi.
There are 13,000 Georgian Jews living in Georgia.

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|See Georgia–Japan relations

Since November 2006, Georgia has maintained an embassy in Tokyo.
Japan has an embassy in Tbilisi.

Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relations with Japan

Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relations with Georgia

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|See Georgia–Kazakhstan relations

Georgia has an embassy in Astana and an honorary consulate in Almaty.
Kazakhstan has an embassy in Tbilisi.
Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Kazakhstan
Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Georgia

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Georgia has an embassy in Kuwait City.
Kuwait is accredited to Georgia from its embassy in Yerevan, Armenia.

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|See Georgia–Kyrgyzstan relations

Georgia is represented in Kyrgyzstan by its embassy in Astana.
Kyrgyzstan is represented in Georgia by its embassy in Baku.
Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

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|See Georgia–Malaysia relations

Georgia has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia is represented in Georgia through its embassy in Kyiv (Ukraine).
Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Malaysia

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|See Georgia–Myanmar relations

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|See Georgia–Saudi Arabia relations

Georgia has an embassy in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Tbilisi.

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|See Georgia–South Korea relations

The establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Georgia began on 14 December 1992.

Georgian embassy in Seoul.
South Korean embassy in Tbilisi.
Bilateral Trade in 2014
Exports 143 million US dollars
Imports 19 million US dollars
The number of the South Koreans living in Georgia in 2014 was about 50.
Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relations with the Republic of Korea

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||| — ||See Georgia–Syria relations

Georgia began the procedure of terminating diplomatic relations with Syria due to Damascus' recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

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|||none||Republic of China passports are not valid for entry in Georgia, while the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared Georgia as a "non-friendly country" to Taiwan.

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|See Georgia–Tajikistan relations

Georgia is represented in Tajikistan by its embassy in Tashkent.
Tajikistan is represented in Georgia by its embassy in Baku

|See Georgia–Turkey relations

Georgia has an embassy in Ankara. and two consulates–general in Istanbul. and Trabzon.
Turkey has an embassy in Tbilisi. and a consulate–general in Batumi.
Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Black Sea Naval Co-operation Task Group (BLACKSEAFOR), the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Turkey is also a member of NATO while Georgia is a candidate.
Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Georgia

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|See Georgia–United Arab Emirates relations

Georgia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi.
United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Tbilisi.

Europe

{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"

!width="15%"| Country

!width="12%"| Formal Relations Began

!Notes

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|||||See Albania–Georgia relations

Albania is represented in Georgia through a non resident ambassador based in Ankara (Turkey).
Georgia is represented in Albania through a non resident ambassador based in Ankara (Turkey).

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|See Austria–Georgia relations

Austria is represented in Georgia through a non resident ambassador based in Vienna, and through an honorary consulate in Tbilisi.
Georgia has an embassy in Vienna and an honorary consulate in Graz.
Austrian Foreign Ministry: list of bilateral treaties with Georgia (in German only)
Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Austria
Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.

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|See Belarus–Georgia relations

Belarus has an embassy in Tbilisi.
Georgia has an embassy in Minsk.

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|||||See Bulgaria–Georgia relations

Bulgaria recognized the independence of Georgia on 15 January 1992.
Bulgaria has an embassy in Tbilisi.
Georgia has an embassy in Sofia.
Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.
Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relations with Bulgaria

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|||||See Croatia–Georgia relations

Croatia is accredited to Georgia from its embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Georgia has an embassy in Zagreb.
Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.

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|||||See Cyprus–Georgia relations

Cyprus is represented in Georgia through a non resident ambassador based in Athens (Greece).
Georgia has an embassy in Nicosia.
Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.

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|||||See Denmark–Georgia relations

Denmark has an embassy in Tbilisi.
Georgia has an embassy in Copenhagen.
Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.

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|||||See Estonia–Georgia relations

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|||||See Finland–Georgia relations

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|||||See France–Georgia relations

France has an embassy in Tbilisi.
Georgia has an embassy in Paris.
Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.

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|See Georgia–Germany relations

Germany recognized the independence of Georgia on 22 March 1992.
Georgia has an embassy in Berlin.
Germany has an embassy in Tbilisi.
Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Germany
German Federal Foreign Office about relations with Georgia

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|||||See Georgia–Greece relations

Georgia has an embassy in Athens.
Greece has an embassy in Tbilisi.
Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.
Georgia Ministry of Foreign Affaires about the relation with Greece
Greek Ministry of Foreign Affaires about the relation with Georgia

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|See Georgia–Hungary relations

Georgia has an embassy in Budapest.
Hungary has an embassy and an honorary consulate in Tbilisi.
Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Hungary

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|||||See Georgia–Iceland relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 September 1992.

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|||||See Georgia–Italy relations

Georgia has an embassy in Rome.
Italy has an embassy in Tbilisi.
Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.

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|See Georgia–Latvia relations

Georgia has an embassy in Riga.
Latvia has an embassy and an honorary consulate in Tbilisi.
Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Latvia
Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Georgia

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|See Georgia–Liechtenstein relations

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|See Georgia–Lithuania relations

Georgia has an embassy in Vilnius.
Lithuania has an embassy in Tbilisi.
Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Lithuania
Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Poland (in Lithuanian only)

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|See Georgia–Luxembourg relations

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|||||See Georgia–Malta relations

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|See Georgia–Moldova relations

Georgia is represented in Moldova through its embassy in Bucharest (Romania).
Moldova is represented in Georgia through its embassy in Baku (Azerbaijan).
Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Moldova

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|See Georgia–Monaco relations

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| See Georgia–Montenegro relations

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|||||See Georgia–Netherlands relations

Georgia has an embassy in The Hague.
the Netherlands has an embassy in Tbilisi.||See Georgia–Poland relations

Georgia has an embassy in Warsaw.
Poland has an embassy in Tbilisi.
Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.

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|||||See Georgia–Portugal relations

Georgia has an embassy in Lisbon.
Portugal is accredited to Georgia from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.

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|See Georgia–Romania relations

Georgia has an embassy in Bucharest and Romania has an embassy in Tbilisi.
Both countries are full members of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, the Black Sea Forum for Partnership and Dialogue, and the Community of Democratic Choice.
Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relations with Romania

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|||—||See Georgia–Russia relations

On 29 August 2008, in the aftermath of the 2008 South Ossetia war, Deputy Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze announced that Georgia had broken diplomatic relations with Russia. He also said that Russian diplomats must leave Georgia, and that no Georgian diplomat would remain in Russia, while only consular relations would be maintained. Russian foreign ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said that Russia regretted this step.

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|See Georgia–Serbia relations

Georgia is represented in Serbia through its embassy in Athens (Greece).
Serbia is represented in Georgia through its embassy in Moscow (Russia). Serbia plans to open its embassy in Georgia.
Georgia recognizes Serbia on the issue of Kosovo
Serbia recognizes Georgia's territorial integrity regarding South Ossetia and Abkhazia
Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Serbia

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||| 13 January 1993 ||See Georgia–Slovenia relations

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|||||See Georgia–Spain relations

Georgia has an embassy in Madrid.
Spain is accredited to Georgia from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.

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|||||See Georgia–Sweden relations

Georgia has an embassy in Stockholm.
Sweden has an embassy in Tbilisi.
After the war, when Abkhazia and South Ossetia broke away from Georgia, Georgia and Sweden both did not recognize the independence of both states. There were protests near the Russian embassy in Stockholm, as the war was going on 12 August 2008. The protests was held by a group of Georgians and Swedes.
Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.

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|See Georgia–Switzerland relations

Switzerland maintained a consulate in Tbilisi between 1883 and 1922.
Switzerland recognized Georgia as an independent state on 23 December 1991.
In 1996, Switzerland opened a cooperation office in Tbilisi. Since June 2001, Switzerland has an embassy in Tbilisi.
Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.
In 1997, Georgia's Permanent Mission to the international organizations in Geneva was also accredited in Bern.
Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relations with Switzerland
Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs about the relations with Georgia

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|||||See Georgia–Ukraine relations

Relations between Georgia and Ukraine and between the Georgian and Ukrainian people in particular last from the Middle Ages.

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|See Georgia–United Kingdom relations

Georgia established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 27 April 1992.

Georgia maintains an embassy in London.
The United Kingdom is accredited to Georgia through its embassy in Tbilisi.

Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, the International Criminal Court, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have and an Investment Agreement, and a Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.

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|See Georgia–Holy See relations

Georgia has an embassy in Rome.
Vatican has an Apostolic Nunciature in Tbilisi.

Oceania

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!width="12%"| Formal Relations Began

!Notes

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|See Australia–Georgia relations

Australia is accredited to Georgia from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
Georgia has an embassy in Canberra.

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|||||See Fiji–Georgia relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 March 2010.
Fiji is represented in Georgia by its embassy in Brussels, Belgium.
Georgia is represented in Fiji by its embassy in Canberra, Australia.

| While their ties have been limited, Kiribati's President Anote Tong met with Georgian Foreign Affairs Minister Maia Panjikidze in September 2013 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Kiribati has been a steadfast supporter of Georgia's territorial integrity since then, despite Russia's attempts to lobby Pacific states like Nauru, Tuvalu and Vanuatu to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In 2018, Kiribati was one of the nations to vote in favor of the Georgia-sponsored UN resolutions calling for the return of internally displaced persons from Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Georgia is represented in Kiribati via its embassy in Canberra, Australia.

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||| —<br />||On 16 February 2012 Georgia issued a presidential order ending diplomatic relations with Tuvalu. This comes in response to a visit by the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Willy Telavi, to Abkhazia and South Ossetia in September 2011, where he announced that the Pacific nation would recognise the two states.

Overview

Georgia has established relations with 186 countries and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Georgia has terminated its diplomatic relations with Russia,