Azernews.Az

By Nigar Abbasova

Azerbaijani and Georgian State Security Services have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Baku. The document was signed by chairman of Azerbaijan State Security Service Madat Guliyev and head of the Georgian State Security Service Vakhtang Gomelauri.

Guliyev, addressing the signing ceremony, said friendly relations between the two countries expanded due to mutual efforts of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Georgia. The head of security service gave thorough information about reforms implemented in the country in the spheres of state building, socio-economic development, implementation of important international projects underlining that the reforms are aimed at strengthening stability and providing security in the country.

Gomelauri, in turn, expressed his confidence that the visit would contribute to expanding partnership between security services of the two countries. He also mentioned that the expansion of bilateral cooperation between the relevant services of the two countries in the sphere security services will lead to the development of friendly and brotherhood relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia.

The sides also discussed perspectives of the mutually beneficial cooperation in the sphere of security provision including exchange of experience and information.

Georgia closely cooperates with Azerbaijan on political and security issues, strategic cooperation between the two countries is developing steadily.

The countries also cooperate within the framework of the European Union’s Eastern Partnership and NATO’s Partnership for Peace program contributing to the harmonization of security interests and the development of common approaches of the two countries to various issues of strategic importance.

The two countries, in partnership with other regional countries, also collaborated closely within the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on issues that had importance for the independence and security of both countries

Azerbaijan and Georgia established diplomatic relations in 1992, one year after gaining independence from the Soviet Union. In October 1997, Azerbaijan and Georgia became two of the four founding members of GUAM, an organization that also includes Ukraine and Moldova.

The two neighboring countries enjoy not only good political relations, but also long-standing and successful cooperation in the sphere of energy, transport, and trade.

The State Security Service was created in Azerbaijan on December 14, 2015. The decision was aimed to increase the efficiency of work of the security services and to improve the structure of public administration.

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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

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