Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

Azerbaijan and Georgia inked a bilateral cooperation plan for 2013 on Monday during Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania's official visit to the neighboring country.

Alasania held talks with Azerbaijani Defense Minister, Colonel General Safar Abiyev. The two ministers first met in private, and then delegations of the two countries joined them for an expanded meeting.

Exchanging views on strengthening the ties of friendship between Azerbaijan and Georgia, the ministers stressed the need for cooperation in the field of defense.

Alasania, who arrived in the Azerbaijani capital Baku on Monday, expressed his appreciation for the support provided by Azerbaijan to his country.

The minister said Georgia, as always, supports Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and that the development of relations between the two countries is of great importance for the region.

Alasania also met with Azerbaijani Minister of Defense Industry Yaver Jamalov. The sides discussed prospects for military cooperation in the field of defense industry.

The meeting was also attended by Georgian Ambassador in Baku Teymuraz Sharashenidze.

Azerbaijan and Georgia broadly cooperate in regional energy development, transport, economic and other important areas. Azerbaijan has long been the second biggest trade partner of Georgia. According to the Georgian statistics body, 12.2 percent of Georgia's foreign trade accounts for Azerbaijan. The two South Caucasus countries have so far signed 90 bilateral agreements, with 50 of them associated with economic relations.