Millions could benefit from Georgia-Turkey-Azerbaijan summit

Millions of people in Eastern Europe could benefit from the outcomes of a trilateral summit attended by the Presidents of Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey.

See also: Tbilisi Summit 2014 opens 

Speaking at the Tbilisi Summit 2014 today, Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili said he was certain the strong friendship and respective cooperation between the three countries would benefit people living in the region and further afield.

"This summit will have an impact not only on the citizens of Georgia, Turkey and Azerbaijan but for the millions of people living beyond the region will benefit from it, particularly in Europe and Asia,” Margvelashvili said at a joint press conference led by the three Presidents.

He stressed enlargement of this summit and adding more countries into the mix would enhance the stability of the region.

During the press conference, the leaders emphasized the positive results of the past 20 years of cooperation in economic, trade, transportation, and energy sectors.

 Joint press conference by the Presidents of (from left) Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. Photo by President's Press Office.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul said the geo-political locations of Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey could be considered as a very attractive investment hub.

The parties highlighted the importance of future cooperation and mentioned numerous projects being jointly implemented by the three countries.

This included the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project, which is currently under construction, to connect Azerbaijan to Turkey via Georgia, and the planned Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline project, which is believed to contribute to peace and stability in the region. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project to connect Baku, Tbilisi and Ceyhan, a port on the south-eastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey, was also mentioned.

"Everybody appreciates the contribution of the three countries in maintaining peace and stability in the region,” Gul said.

He expressed hope such meetings would continue at Presidential level, as they were an example of cooperation and brotherhood among the three countries.

Meanwhile Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said it was important to acknowledge the past achievements but focus on future proposals to mutually benefit the three nations.

"Our cooperation is based on common interests. At the same time, the joint projects that we are realizing have gone beyond the regional boundaries and become global. Thus, the summit itself is a very significant international event,” Aliyev said.

The Turkish leader said the territorial integrity of Georgia and Azerbaijan within its internationally recognised borders was important for Turkey and this would continue to be supported in the future.

Before the meeting ended the leaders of the three states discussed the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and agreed the situation negatively influenced the security of the region.

Aliyev proposed the next trilateral summit should be held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.