Georgian Delegation meets Azerbaijani officials in Baku
By Khatia Bzhalava
Thursday, May 6
On Wednesday, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku. According to Garibashvili, the sides discussed the topics of mutual interest, the importance of peaceful conflict resolution, cooperation in the field of economy, energy and trade, and the successful joint projects of regional importance. They reviewed the results achieved so far within the framework of the strategic partnership between the two countries. The sides underscored that they have carried out many fundamental and historical projects jointly.
As Aliyev stressed, “relations between our peoples are based on centuries of history of good neighborhood,” and the two countries have a great history of carrying out joint projects, such as energy and transportation projects. The president mentioned the Southern Gas Corridor project, “which has tremendous importance for development, stability, predictability, and cooperation not only in the Caucasus but in the wider region,” and underscored the key role of Azerbaijani and Georgia in its implementation.
Aliyev stressed that Azerbaijan is one of the largest investors in Georgia. He noted that there is a good investment climate in Georgia that attracts many Azerbaijani companies.
Georgian PM noted at the meeting that Azerbaijan and Georgia ‘are brotherly nations’, they are connected and interdependent. As Garibashvili said, both countries are motivated to implement more projects together, “which will further strengthen our relations.” He has invited Aliyev to Georgia “at any convenient time.”
Within the framework of the official visit to Baku, after the meeting with the president, PM Garibashvili paid tribute to the memory of the national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev and his wife Zarifa Aliyeva.
Georgian PM also met his Azerbaijani counterpart Ali Asadov and Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani, who is among the Georgian delegation members in Baku, also met his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov. Parties focused on all the key directions of Georgian-Azerbaijani bilateral relations. Ministers discussed the issues of economic cooperation, particularly in terms of COVID-19 management and the tourism sector.
