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Gela Bejuashvili: Armenia will benefit by regional projects after necessary political condition appear - EXCLUSIVE

Gela Bejuashvili: Armenia will benefit by regional projects after necessary political condition appear <font color=red>- EXCLUSIVE</font>

05 December 2007 11:12 (UTC +04:00)

Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bejuashviliâ€™s exclusive interview to APA

-How do you assess GUAMâ€™s prospects?
-GUAM was established for ensuring human rights and democratic development in the member states. Common goals unite our countries â€“ these goals are to form economically independent state, basing on democratic values and achieve regional cooperation that will serve as an example to other countries. Now, when we speak about GUAM we mention concrete results. The four countries established free trade zone, trade turnover doubled in the past two years. Now we are working on the projects that will ensure the harmony of the legislation on transport tariffs. All will gain from it. When GUAM countries offer unique economic package, it is profitable for the states of Europe, Central Asia and other regions. This is GUAM â€“ economic reforms prevail over politics in our organization.
-Presidential elections will be held in Georgia and Azerbaijan. May the results of these elections have influence on the relationships between the two countries?
-Bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia will not change, because these relations do not base on governments or historical traditions. Our countries are so dependent on each other economically, politically, culturally and socially, that change of the government in any of these countries will not have negative influence on the relations. Azerbaijan and Georgia can not be indifferent to each other.
-How do you assess the prospects of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project?
-This is a very splendid project. The project will pave the way for both countriesâ€™ access to European system, new infrastructure and new jobs. On the other hand, this project is being implemented in the territory, where it is necessary to improve social welfare and create jobs. From this aspect, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars project is of great importance for the interests of the two countries. As to our neighbors, first of all Armenia, the participants of the project have common position â€“ this project is closed neither for neighboring states, nor for other states. All our projects are open for potential participants. A day will come, when Armenia will also benefit by the project. It will be possible when necessary political condition appear.
-How Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil and Baku-Tbilisi-Arzurum gas pipelines are important for energy security of Europe?
-These pipelines already play role of mechanism of energy security of Europe factually, as EU countries gain energy resources through these pipelines. These projects gave chance to Europe to achieve diversification of energy resources, as well as transport corridors. GUAM countries are working on one more energy project â€“ Odessa-Brodi pipeline at present. If we implement this project, this will be our one more success. I regard that our countries can pride. We are already carrying out issues promised by others, that is why our countries are in the center of the attention.
-When will the next meeting of State Commission on delimitation of Azerbaijani-Georgian borders be held? Is the prolongation of the process linked with any problem?
-I would not say that there is problem in delimitation issue. This process should be approached attentively and sensitively, therefore process is delayed. Our countries have already agreed the great part of border line. The experts visited the consented areas again not long ago, they work in stages. Process is going on, delimitation commission will soon hold meeting, but we have not yet agreed history.
-Though our countries have traditional close relations, problems of Azerbaijani community in Georgia have not yet been solvedâ€¦.
-I know nothing about the problems of Azerbaijanis living in Georgia. I think that if there is problem, this problem does not concern ethnic relations, this may be problem of social character. We need facts, if there are such facts, we can react properly.
-For example: radio station broadcasted in Azerbaijani was about to be commissioned in Tbilisi, but Justice Ministry refused to register this radio stationâ€¦
-I have heard nothing about this fact, if it is so, it is negative case. Of course, such facts can not impact our strategic relations, but we should react against such cases. We want concrete facts, if there are such facts they should be presented to our Ministry or embassy. /APA/