Diplomatic SOCIETY met with the new Ambassador of Georgia to Austria and the International Organizations and the OSCE in Vienna, H.E. Alexander Maisuradze, to talk about EU-membership and the importance of NATO and OSCE for Georgia.
As Ambassador of Georgia to Austria, what are the topics you would like to prioritize during your term? What connects Austria and Georgia and where do the countries potentially differ most?
Austria and Georgia are deeply connected. Both countries offer a breath-taking beauty of landscapes, love for culture, winemaking, hospitality and not least, the inexhaustible drive to achieve progress. Serving my country is an honour, I was very happy to come back to Vienna after a decade. My passion for the agenda we cover here comes from my early career days, and Vienna welcomed me back as if I had never left. Our mission encompasses three major dimensions – bilateral relations between Georgia and Austria, cooperation within the OSCE and the UN, Vienna being the international hub.
When it comes to the bilateral agenda, it is worth highlighting that there are solid relations between Georgia and Austria built upon three decades long, friendship, shared values and interests. Expanding political dialogue and strengthening the economic ties are among the main pillars of our cooperation.
Both sides demonstrate the willingness to continue the dialogue as an indispensable tool for regular exchange. Most recently, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Maka Botchorishvili visited Vienna and held a comprehensive and fruitful meeting with her Austrian counterpart, Federal Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger. This visit was another highlight in terms of new opportunities for our relations.
Renowned Austrian companies successfully operating in Georgia benefit from the attractiveness of the country as a business location and at the same time make a valuable contribution to the Georgian economy. Georgia is particularly grateful for the Austrian (ADA, Austrian Development Agency) contribution to Georgia’s sustainable tourism, organic agriculture, and capacity building.
In these times of geopolitical instability and uncertainty, OSCE plays an important role in finding solutions to existing challenges. With its cross-dimensional approach to security, the OSCE is a significant pillar of the European Security Architecture. OSCE also has a vital role in facilitating the peaceful resolution of conflicts, particularly in its capacity as a co-chair of the Geneva International Discussions. We attach great importance to using all relevant platforms and keeping the issue of Georgia’s occupied territories prominently on the OSCE’s agenda.
Georgia adheres to the OSCE guidelines when it comes to democratic consolidation and development, promoting rule of law and human rights. High-level diplomatic exchanges play crucial role in further deepening cooperation with the OSCE and its institutions.
Georgia regularly contributes to the UN agenda at the UN Office in Vienna, particularly when it comes to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs, international security, crime prevention, conflict prevention, fight against corruption etc. To further support and facilitate the IAEA’s core functions and activities, Georgia for the very first time was elected to the Board of Governors for the term 2024-2026. Georgia will continue to be a strong supporter of nuclear safety, security and safeguards, in a proper balance with the Technical Cooperation Programme for peaceful uses.
Between 2015 and 2020, you have been Ambassador and Head of Mission of Georgia to NATO. What are the key priorities of the Georgian government in its relationship with NATO?
The Euro-Atlantic integration remains the top priority of Georgia’s foreign policy, strongly supported by the population and enshrined in Article 78 of our Constitution. Over the years, Georgia immensely contributed to the Euro-Atlantic security, including the highest per-capita contribution to the ISAF operation. Besides, Georgia has been spending around 2% of its GDP on defence for longer than some NATO member states.
Over the years, when I had the honour to lead the Georgian Mission to NATO, we enhanced both political dialogue and practical cooperation with NATO. We established a Defence Institution Building School and a Joint Training and Evaluation Centre (JTEC), the latter having immensely helped build Georgia’s security and defence capabilities and strengthen its resilience. In addition, we have had a number of high-level events, including meetings and engagement with NATO over the years. As a result, both NATO visibility and practical engagement have increased, bringing Georgia closer to NATO standards and membership.
Georgia’s accession talks with the EU are currently paused – do you think that there is potential for a resumption of the talks in the future?
The EU integration, just like NATO integration, remains a key foreign policy goal and is enshrined in the Constitution of Georgia – Article 78.
For the past ten years, the EU and Georgia have built a strong partnership with major milestones. The EU’s decision to grant Georgia a candidate status was a response to our strong commitment and reforms. Georgia’s European integration and its determination to become an EU member is as firm as ever. The AA/DCFTA remains an important blueprint to guide us on a complex reform path and prepare the country in practical terms for successful and swift accession to the EU. We have reached a significant progress in different sectors to further advance the political association and economic integration. Georgia carried out essential reforms in areas of economic policy, taxation, digital transformation, science, education and social affairs. So far, Georgia has implemented up to 55% of the AA and 65 % of DCFTA commitments and remains committed to implement 90% of the AA/DCFTA by 2028.
When it comes to the current state of play in our relations, we firmly believe that there is no alternative to dialogue, and the bridges between Georgia and the EU should be kept.
We share a common goal of ensuring stability and prosperity in Europe. While 20% of its territories are occupied by Russia, Georgia continues contributing to this shared goal by promoting peace and development in a strategically important Black Sea region. Located on the crossroads of strategic routes, Georgia is a bridge and a logistic hub, offering Europe multiple opportunities for trade and transportation. We welcome the recent joint communication of the European Commission and EU’s High Representative on the strategic approach towards the Black Sea region and are ready to play a key role in its implementation.
Can you tell us a bit about investment opportunities in your country and about its diverse economic landscape?
Georgia is a regional leader in terms of economic stability and investment attractiveness. With its strategic location, linking Europe with Asia, the country offers a business-friendly environment along with tariff-free access to major markets.
We largely invest in multiple infrastructure projects, contributing to connectivity and economic growth. Anaklia Deep Sea Port project will become a gateway for Central Asia and Caucasus in the world.
Georgia also plays a key role in ensuring energy security. The Black Sea Submarine Cable will connect South Caucasus directly to Europe. Speaking about connectivity, on October 22-23, 2025, Georgia will host the 5th Tbilisi Silk Road Forum “Invest in Connectivity-Grow in Stability”, a high-level event with over 2,000 delegates from more than 60 countries. In the era of geopolitical shifts and transitions, this Forum becomes vital for cooperation on regional and global connectivity.
Besides, we have free trade agreements that significantly increase Georgia’s attractiveness as an investment destination. Appealing investment opportunities are offered in energy, manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, real estate, logistics and other areas. The reforms helped establish a liberal and secure business environment, as proved by reputable international stake-holders like Fitch, Moody’s Investors Service, Standard and Poor’s, Index of Economic Freedom 2025 of Heritage Foundation, OECD SME Policy Index etc.
Moreover, tourism is among the most thriving sectors with huge potential for further growth.