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Georgian President: Azerbaijanâ€™s independence is also Georgia’s independence

07 March 2012 02:34 (UTC +04:00)

The Georgian president said that Baku and Tbilisi realizes a large-scale railway project. As a part of this project, Azerbaijan will invest at a rate of 320 million U.S. dollars. "This will be our joint route that will connect us with Europe. There will be transportation of cargo and passengers. Every year two million people will go to the Turkey from Azerbaijan through Georgia on the rout of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, and thus, they will get access to Europe. As a result, Georgia’s relations with Europe will become even wider, and Azerbaijan will contribute to this. From this point of view of our relations are an important factor in achieving the development goals we have set ourselvesâ€, - he said.

Saakashvili also said cooperation in the energy sector between Azerbaijan and Georgia is multi-faceted. â€œGeorgia is also growing rapidly. The main guarantee of this development is fraternal Azerbaijanâ€™s assistance. Azerbaijanâ€™s independence is also Georgia’s independenceâ€, - Georgian president said.

â€Azerbaijan and Georgia also agreed to construct the plant between Poti and Kulevi. This year will begin its construction. This project is a demonstration of the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countriesâ€ â€“ Saakashvili said.

Speaking about the investment of Azerbaijani companies in Georgia, Saakashvili said that the largest company of Azerbaijan - State Oil Company operates in Georgia, has already invested a lot of investment and will expand its activities in the future. This activity is extremely important for the region, the population of the region. He expressed the satisfaction that the activity goes beyond the region.

â€Baku is implementing major infrastructure projects in the region. Trunk road Baku-Tbilisi will be one of the more important means to strengthen our friendshipâ€, - he said.

Saakashvili noted that in one year the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Georgia exceeded 1 billion U.S. dollars. As for the balance of trade, for Georgia, he is still negative. And this is natural. However, exports from Georgia to Azerbaijan are growing every year. This suggests that the relationship between the two countries bring mutual benefits.

"I also will speak in the parliament, and I want to say that developing for centuries relationships allow us to see how closely connected our two countries together. From this point of view of the friendly and fraternal relations are important to each of us, and it is felt. This is not just an emotional statement. The role of President Ilham Aliyev is important in any field. Azerbaijan is pursuing this policy. It is through this policy, Georgia has maintained its independence", - he said.

According to him, Azerbaijan, through its investment also contributes to the formation of the best job conditions in Georgia. "Nevertheless, the geopolitical situation is still complicated. There are different moments. However, friends are always at such moments, holding hands together. We are working closely to eliminate all barriersâ€, -said the Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili said.