Georgia–Tajikistan Diplomacy: Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s June 19–20 visit to Dushanbe wrapped with a joint communiqué and a package of agreements, with both sides calling it a “new chapter” and signing deals across civil aviation, agriculture, tourism, science/education, culture, sports and climate change, plus a new intergovernmental economic commission. Trade Flows: Georgia’s foreign trade turnover with Azerbaijan rose 9% in Jan–May to $570m; imports from Azerbaijan climbed 24.5% to $300.5m, while Georgia’s exports to Azerbaijan fell 4.6% to $269.2m. Cars Market: Georgia exported 1,926 passenger cars worth $66.4m to Azerbaijan in Jan–May, but Azerbaijan’s imports of cars from Georgia dropped 38% in value. Economy Watch: GeoStat says Georgia’s Q1 2026 GDP grew 9% year-on-year, led by information/communication, transport, trade and financial services, while agriculture and construction contracted. Banking Policy: Georgia reduced the foreign-currency reserve requirement from 25% to 20%, freeing about $250m for the sector without changing loan activity. EU Signal: An EU Parliament report again criticized Georgia over democratic backsliding and reform gaps, raising pressure on visa-free travel and sanctions compliance. Trade Integrity: Georgia’s environment and agriculture ministry denied claims that Armenian strawberries are being re-exported to Russia via Georgia under third-country labels. Regional Connectivity: Georgia and Tajikistan also signed 11 cooperation documents aimed at expanding trade, transport/logistics and energy links.