Tbilisi hosts 9th meeting of Azerbaijan–Georgia Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation
The 9th meeting of the Azerbaijan–Georgia Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation was held in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia on 15 December.
Heads of relevant government agencies of both countries attended the meeting, chaired by Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov and Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Ali Asadov noted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia. It was stressed that over these years, relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia have reached the level of strategic partnership.
The sides praised the development of relations between the two countries in political, economic, investment, energy, transport, cultural and humanitarian areas. They also stressed the importance of providing mutual support within the international organizations.
Speaking about interregional cooperation, Ali Asadov said: “Recently, contacts between individual cities and regions of our countries have intensified, which naturally has a very positive impact on the comprehensive development of Azerbaijani–Georgian relations.”
It was brought to attention that a number of cities and regions of the two countries, including Baku and Tbilisi, have signed twinning agreements in the past and during the current year. Taking into account this positive trend, an initiative was put forward to hold a possible Azerbaijani–Georgian interregional forum.
It was noted that trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Georgia has increased, given the great potential of both countries, and the importance of implementing joint projects to further expanding mutual trade was emphasized.
The sides stressed the importance of increasing investment cooperation.
Energy sector was considered as one of the main priorities of bilateral cooperation. It was informed that Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan, Baku–Tbilisi–Erzurum and Southern Gas Corridor projects contribute greatly to the economic development of both Azerbaijan and Georgia. It was emphasized that traditionally, great attention is paid to transport and transit area, where steady growth of cargo transportation is observed.
The importance of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway was particularly noted. “The launch of the railway at full capacity will serve for even greater prosperity and economic progress of our countries,” stated the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan.
The relevance of the Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian international transport route) was also noted, and the importance of strengthening joint efforts to attract additional cargo volumes to this route was highlighted.
In this context, Ali Asadov stressed the importance of the Zangezur corridor as part of the Middle Corridor. “This corridor will ensure the diversification of regional transport links and connections,” added the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan.
The meeting extensively discussed the prospects of development in all areas of strategic partnership relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Following the meeting, Prime Minister Ali Asadov and Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili signed the Protocol of the 9th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Georgia.
The heads of the relevant government agencies signed a number of agreements on the development of cooperation in agriculture, ecology and small and medium-sized businesses.
