Georgia, Azerbaijan Discuss Strategic Partnership
TBILISI- The strategic partnership between Georgia and Azerbaijan was top of the agenda Monday as delegations led by Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze and his Azeri counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov met to discuss bilateral relations in the Georgian capital Tbilisi.
Janelidze and Mammadyarov highlighted the two countries’ successful cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.
Bilateral cooperation and energy supplies were the main topics of discussion, with Janelidze saying the Southern Gas Corridor and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway projects are important for Europe's energy security and the Eurasian transport corridor.
Janelidze also stressed the importance of Azerbaijan's increasing investment capacity in Georgia.
“Azerbaijan is our strategic partner with whom we have centuries of good relations. Meetings like these contribute greatly to strengthening these ties,” Janelidze stated at a joint press conference after the meeting.
Both foreign ministers expressed support for each country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Mammadyarov said he informed his Georgian counterpart about the negotiation process regarding Azerbaijan’s occupied region of Nagorno-Karabakh, the scene of a two-decades-long conflict between Azerbaijan and neighboring Armenia.
Janelidze and Mammadyarov both reiterated that they favor substantive talks aimed at fundamentally resolving the conflict. “Because of its destructive nature and occupation policy against Azerbaijan, Armenia is now left out of all regional projects,” Mammadyarov said.
He added, however, that a comprehensive peace agreement would be a major step towards ensuring the security of the South Caucasus region.
Mammadyarov also took time to praise Georgia and Azerbaijan’s close cooperation, saying it was based on “friendship and respect”.
“The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline was one of the most significant steps we have taken towards strengthening our economic and political cooperation,” Mammadyarov noted.
Both ministers discussed the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, saying the route will start functioning once the final stage is constructed in Turkey.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili met with Mammadyarov on Tuesday.
The sides discussed key issues related to transportation cooperation between the two co. Furthermore, Georgia’s PM said he would visit Baku in the near future.
Mammadyarov’s Tuesday meeting with Parliament Speaker David Usupashvili focused on diplomatic relations.
By Thea Morrison
Edited by Nicholas Waller