Azernews.Az

By Jamila Babayeva

Georgia's capital, Tbilisi hosted a trilateral summit of the presidents of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey on May 6.

Opening the summit in the Georgian National Library, Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili stressed that Georgia's recent cooperation with Azerbaijan and Turkey is very impressive, Trend Agency reported.

He underscored that he has warm relationships with both Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

"I was very warmly greeted in Turkey, and I have already had the pleasure of meeting Ilham Aliyev twice. We both were very pleased to see each other again," Margvelashvili said.

He went on to note that the summit's aim is to push ahead the economic projects, which are being implemented in the region.

Speaking at the summit Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia have cooperation in various fields.

Gul recalled that the presidents met in 2007 at the foundation laying ceremony of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway section, passing through the territory of Georgia.

"Along with the presidential meetings, the meetings of foreign ministers are held on a regular basis," he added.

"Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey implemented a number of regional and international projects," Gul said. "Everybody appreciates the contribution of the three countries in maintaining peace and stability in the region."

Gul expressed hope that such meetings continue in future adding that the meetings are an example of cooperation and brotherhood among the three countries in many areas.

Addressing the summit, President Ilham Aliyev thanked his Georgian counterpart Giorgi Margvelashvili for taking an initiative to hold this summit.

President Aliyev said he is pleased to be in Georgia again.

"The ties between our countries have a long history. The bilateral relations also stand at a high level. In many cases we make joint efforts in trilateral format and put forward our joint initiatives," he said.

He went on to add that today the Georgian-Turkish-Azerbaijani cooperation is of great importance not only for these countries themselves, but also for the region and the entire world.

"Our cooperation is based on common interests. At the same time, the joint projects that we are implementing have gone beyond the regional boundaries and became global," President Aliyev underscored.

Following the summit the three presidents held a trilateral meeting, during which they expressed their satisfaction with the successful cooperation among the three countries.

The presidents also voiced their hope that the Tbilisi summit would contribute to a further broadening of these relations and emphasized the significance of the global projects implemented by Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia to develop these relations.

After the trilateral meeting Margvelashvili said as many countries as possible must be involved in regional projects to provide stability in the Caspian-Black Sea and Mediterranean regions.

"We intend to expand the involvement of all new countries in regional projects, as their involvement will ensure the stability in the Caspian-Black Sea and Mediterranean regions," he said at the joint press-conference. "We are expanding our cooperation to the European and Asian countries, so that more countries could use the benefits resulting from our close cooperation," he said.

President Abdullah Gul in turn said the conflicts in the South Caucasus must be resolved as part of the territorial integrity of the countries.

He also stressed that along with regional issues, global issues were also discussed during the tripartite meeting.

"We reiterated our support for the territorial integrity of Georgia and Azerbaijan," President Gul said. "We stressed the importance of resolving the regional conflicts as part of peace and territorial integrity."

He added that the Ukrainian crisis was also discussed during the meeting.

"We have a common opinion that the Ukrainian political crisis will have an impact on peace and stability in our region," he said. "We stand for the settlement of the political crisis in Ukraine as part of the territorial integrity and international law."

Gul added that Turkey is closely monitoring the status of the Crimean Tatars.

As for the projects implemented jointly by Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, he stressed that these projects play an important role in the development and stability of the region.

"Being a major energy project, TANAP increases the importance of the region," Gul added.

President Aliyev expressed confidence that a trilateral summit will be important for further development of trilateral cooperation.

"I can say this trilateral format currently is of interest not only in the region but also on the global level," President Aliyev said. "This is actually a unique format, as the three independent states have built modern, cultural and equal relations based on mutual understanding, respect and which correspond to the interests of our peoples."

President Aliyev went on to add that the sides had a very broad and honest exchange of views on future cooperation. "The ministers offered various projects to the heads of states."

Following the press-conference Margvelashvili hosted an official lunch in honor of President Aliyev and President Gul.