Azernews.Az

TBILISI – Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has said any opponent of Azerbaijan and Georgia is "an enemy of both these countries".

Saakashvili said in an interview with the London-based Business Year magazine that both countries have been "fragmented" by internal conflicts and continue to be plagued by unresolved problems.

"Our strength is in unity," he said. "This is not just what’s written on our coat of arms, it is the truth."

Saakashvili said those who seek to undermine this unity are opposing the two countries’ interests, which "lie in strengthening this strategic partnership".

"Georgia and Azerbaijan are obliged to stand together given their geographic location and common history. We share a common view and we have strong relations. I am convinced that these two countries will be able to create a much better future for themselves through their unity, exemplary relations, and successes."

Saakashvili said Georgia-Azerbaijan relations are broader than ordinary ties and the two countries "have been friends for many years". This friendship, he said, has a long history and "has passed many ordeals".

"In January 2008, when Georgia, for reasons completely incomprehensible to me, had its gas and electricity supplies cut off, Azerbaijan decided, in the worst days of a record-breaking cold winter, to reduce supplies to many of its own citizens and supply Georgia so that its people would not freeze. Georgia will never forget Azerbaijan’s help when the Georgian people found themselves in a dire situation in a bitter winter...We will never forget this help because it was provided at the most difficult time in Georgia’s history...This is not only a result of our strategic partnership, but is also a symbol of our fraternity. We have even established confederative relations.

"All this has become possible thanks to our friendship. There are no problems between our countries," Saakashvili said.

The Business Year magazine’s latest issue was devoted to Azerbaijan. The special edition, along with Saakashvili’s interview, included those by the Azerbaijani and Russian leaders, as well as the Swiss prime minister.