Azernews.Az

By Jamila Babayeva

Azerbaijan and Georgia, historical allies in the South Caucasus region, enjoy friendly and strategic relations. The neighboring countries have always pursued a policy of mutual trust and respect. They are not connected only by borders and common features; joint enormous economic projects such as Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan make the links more substantial.

Both South Caucasus countries are strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation, and are working on the next regional Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project, which will connect not only the countries, but also Europe and Asia.

Azerbaijani-Georgian economic relations are based on strong political partnership between the countries. Azerbaijan remains one of the largest investors and trade partners of Georgia over the last year, and provides over 80 percent of Georgia's need in natural gas at reasonable price.

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan is the guarantor of Georgia's energy stability. SOCAR supplies oil and gas to Georgia, owns gas distribution networks and an oil terminal, and is building a carbamide plant. The SOCAR's investments in the Georgian economy have reached over $1 billion so far.

Georgia is a window for Azerbaijan to transport oil and gas to Europe. The main oil and gas pipelines from Azerbaijan pass through Georgia's territory, and the countries depend on each other from an economic aspect.

Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili's first official visit to Azerbaijan can be considered a sign of Tbilisi's devotion to the strategic relationship with Baku, which remains unchanged with the change of leadership in Georgia. Georgia's new administration has expressed its willingness to define new possibilities and ways of deepening multilateral relations with Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan and Georgia support each other in all spheres, as well as the issue of unresolved conflicts which both countries suffer from.

At a joint press conference, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stressed that the two countries support each other regarding territorial integrity.

For his part, Margvelashvili said the way to solving these problems passes through the further improvement of the welfare of regional countries and implementing important joint projects.

By implementing large-scale energy and transport projects, the countries will turn the South Caucasus into a region of positive dynamics. The sides stated that there is an appropriate ground for expanding economic and trade ties.

After the meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Margvelashvili said their common goal is to provide the Caucasus with new opportunities and new potentials.

"We are both committed to the idea that a peaceful Caucasus is what the world wants, and we view our region from the angle of prospects and opportunities," he underscored.

Margvelashvli's positive visit to Azerbaijan adds new dimension to bilateral ties. Azerbaijan and Georgia's exemplary strategic partnership is quite promising in attaining new heights with new dynamics. Baku and Tbilisi will explore new cooperation opportunities in order to contribute to the future development and stability of each other and the region as well.