Georgia celebrates Ubisa-Shorapani section opening on East-West Highway
In a notable advance for Georgia’s infrastructure, the Ubisa-Shorapani stretch of the East-West Highway was inaugurated on October 28, 2023. This segment’s launch is a culmination of concerted efforts underpinned by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Union, reflecting a joint commitment of nearly €1 billion in loans and over €42 million in EU grants.
The highway is more than a transit route; it is the lifeline of Georgia’s road network, integral to the extended Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and pivotal for the Middle Corridor’s functionality. The presence of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, alongside key EU and EIB officials at the opening, underscored the project’s strategic importance.
EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska lauded the event as a testament to the EU’s and EIB’s resolve to draw Georgia and the European bloc closer. The highway is a testament to their shared vision for bolstering global and regional connectivity, local mobility, and economic prosperity.
The EU Ambassador to Georgia, Paweł Herczyński, highlighted the significance of the highway in the TEN-T and the broader regional integration agenda. He commended the EIB’s financial role in this transformative initiative, aligning with the Economic and Investment Plan’s goals.
Prime Minister Garibashvili marked the occasion by underscoring the highway’s impact, pointing to the considerable progress in infrastructure development since his administration took office, with a substantial portion of the highway completed under their tenure.
The Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure, Irakli Karseladze, detailed the complexity of the new 27-km section, replete with its engineering marvels of bridges and tunnels. He reiterated the strategic importance of this section and the entire East-West Highway in enhancing the country’s development and international regional capacity.
The EIB’s enduring partnership with Georgia, especially in transport projects, has been instrumental in the nation’s infrastructural evolution. The recent Global Gateway Forum saw the announcement of an additional €16 million EU grant to elevate road safety standards in Georgia, further cementing the EU’s commitment to the country’s development narrative.
The opening of the Ubisa-Shorapani section marks a landmark progression in Georgia’s ongoing journey to fortify its infrastructure and solidify its role as a pivotal transit hub in the region.
