The 11th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Georgia was held in the city of Sighnaghi, Georgia's Kakheti region, under the chairmanship of Prime Ministers Ali Asadov and Irakli Kobakhidze, APA reports.
The meeting featured an exchange of views on the current state and development prospects of strategic partnership relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as issues related to expanding cooperation in trade, economy, investment, energy, transport and transit, agriculture, culture, humanitarian affairs, and other areas.
Prime Minister Ali Asadov stated that high-level political dialogue and mutual visits play a decisive role in the development of bilateral relations. In this regard, it was noted that the agreements reached during President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev's state visit to Georgia in April this year, as well as the Georgian Prime Minister's visit to Azerbaijan in May, once again confirmed the strategic nature of cooperation between the two countries and provided additional impetus to expanding interaction in various areas.
Satisfaction was expressed with the effective cooperation between Azerbaijan and Georgia within international organizations, particularly their mutual support on issues of state sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The positive dynamics of trade and economic cooperation were highly appreciated. It was noted that Georgia is one of Azerbaijan's main trading partners. It was stated that trade turnover between the two countries increased by 42% in the first nine months of this year, exceeding the total figure for the previous year and approaching $1 billion.
It was also noted that cooperation in the investment sector is developing successfully, with Azerbaijan being one of the largest investors in Georgia's economy.
Emphasizing the positive dynamics observed in the implementation of joint investment projects, the opening of a new hotel project implemented by an Azerbaijani investor in Tbilisi was assessed as a good example of this cooperation.
It was stated that the energy sector is one of the main areas of the Azerbaijan-Georgia strategic partnership. It was noted that large-scale energy projects jointly implemented by the two countries, such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Southern Gas Corridor, play an important role in ensuring the energy security of the region and Europe. It was emphasized that cooperation in the electricity sector is also continuing successfully. Attention was drawn to Azerbaijan's prompt support in response to a request from the Georgian side following the crisis in Georgia's energy system in July this year.
Particular attention was paid to the prospects for cooperation in renewable energy. The importance of ongoing efforts to establish a corridor for transporting green energy to Europe with the joint participation of Azerbaijan and Georgia was emphasized.
Cooperation in the transport and transit sector was also among the main topics discussed at the meeting. It was noted that Azerbaijan and Georgia are important partners in the development of international transport corridors, with particular emphasis on the importance of joint efforts to increase the competitiveness and transit potential of the Middle Corridor.
Issues related to expanding border-crossing capacities were also considered as part of transport infrastructure development. The importance of the project to establish the joint "Silk Road (Aghstafa) – Abreshumis Gza (Gardabani)" border crossing point on the Azerbaijan-Georgia state border was emphasized. Confidence was expressed that the document scheduled to be signed during the meeting regarding the practical implementation of the project would contribute to accelerating the relevant work.
It was emphasized that there is significant potential for developing cooperation in agriculture. Confidence was expressed that the bilateral documents to be signed during the meeting in the fields of plant quarantine and protection, as well as veterinary services, would help simplify relevant control procedures and increase mutual trade in agricultural products.
The meeting also addressed issues of environmental protection and the efficient use of water resources. Highlighting the strategic importance of the Kura River basin for both countries, the importance of strengthening joint efforts to protect transboundary water resources, prevent pollution, and ensure their sustainable management was noted.
It was stated that cultural and humanitarian cooperation is an important component of Azerbaijan-Georgia relations. The special role of cooperation in culture, education, and humanitarian affairs in preserving and developing historical ties of friendship between the two peoples was emphasized.
Reports by members of the delegations on the issues on the agenda were heard.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Prime Ministers Ali Asadov and Irakli Kobakhidze signed the Protocol of the 11th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Firuza Vahid
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10:28
The 11th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Georgia has begun in the Georgian city of Sighnaghi, APA's local bureau reports.
Before the meeting, a one-on-one meeting was held between the co-chairs of the commission, Prime Ministers of Azerbaijan and Georgia Ali Asadov and Irakli Kobakhidze.
The meeting will discuss the current state of economic and trade relations between the two countries and prospects for their expansion.
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