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Global challenges require deepening of Georgian-Azerbaijani cooperation - Georgian experts

16 March 2024 09:17 (UTC +04:00)

The new Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze is making his first foreign visit to Baku today.

Political commentator Tengiz Tkhilava told APA's Georgian bureau that it has already become a tradition for Georgia to make one of the first foreign visits of new heads of government to Baku, which indicates the importance that Tbilisi attaches to relations with Azerbaijan.

According to him, after the II Garabagh War, official Tbilisi is trying to contribute to strengthening peace in the region by developing relations with neighboring countries.

It was emphasized that over the past years, Georgian mediation between Baku and Yerevan has brought important results. It is noted that Georgia, as before, attaches special importance to relations with Azerbaijan:

“Irakli Kobakhidze was on a visit to Azerbaijan as the chairman of the Georgian parliament. However, this is his first visit to Azerbaijan after his appointment as prime minister. It is clear that Georgia and Azerbaijan are not just friendly neighboring countries, but also strategic partners supporting each other on all international platforms. Although this is a courtesy visit, I am confident that it will allow positive decisions to be taken towards deepening the partnership between the two countries and strengthening stability in the region. This visit shows the value that Georgia attaches to ties with Azerbaijan.”

Tengiz Thilava emphasized that Türkiye’s participation in current regional and global challenges increases the importance of cooperation between Georgia and Azerbaijan.

In his opinion, the regular trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of the three countries, which took place the day before in Baku, became an important platform for the exchange of views on important issues that are currently ongoing:

"Any meeting in this format is very important. Especially at a time when tension is growing in the world, and the war continues in a region very close to us. The situation in our region has stabilized to a certain extent. Azerbaijan has returned its territories. Armenia also strives to maintain a relatively healthy politics. We know that now they are trying to withdraw Russian border guards from Zvarnots airport. In general, we are talking about the withdrawal of the Russian base from Armenia. At such a time, it is very important that the foreign policy leaders of our countries meet and exchange views."

Georgian political expert Georgy Mamaladze noted that as a result of Azerbaijan’s restoration of its territorial integrity, real opportunities for lasting peace have emerged in the South Caucasus.

However, some countries are unhappy with the situation, as they have lost leverage over the region and see a way out in attacking Azerbaijan in various ways.

“After Azerbaijan once and for all resolved the problem of its territorial integrity under the leadership of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, some Western states lost the Garabagh map, which they used as an opportunity to influence the region. As a result, these states remained dissatisfied with the situation and went on the offensive against Azerbaijan. I believe that such security issues can be resolved jointly with Georgia. Armenia is postponing the signing of the peace agreement. I think that Georgia can play a positive role in this issue. Only Georgia and Azerbaijan can ensure the security of our region connecting China and Europe with "In terms of transport capabilities. I am confident that our leaders will come to a common agreement on strengthening the position of the region. This will not only strengthen the security of the corridor, but will also bring economic benefits to both Azerbaijan and Georgia and will also give Armenians pause."

Georgy Mamaladze emphasized that the military-political processes taking place in the world are increasing interest in the transport and logistics capabilities of the South Caucasus, and new challenges are contributing to the deepening of cooperation between Georgia and Azerbaijan.

In his opinion, the Azerbaijani-Georgian corridor connecting the Caspian and Black Seas is already more attractive than its alternative. Georgy Mamaladze emphasized that after the completion of modernization work on the Georgian section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line this year, the region’s position in global cargo transportation will sharply strengthen, this project will become another guarantor of stability in the region.

Georgian experts noted that Georgian-Azerbaijani relations and joint economic projects are an important example of regional cooperation and good neighborliness.