Aliev: “Azerbaijan and Georgia’s territorial integrity is violated”

Azerbaijani’s President Ilham Aliyev believes Georgia and Azerbaijan's territorial integrity has been violated, and the norms of international laws have been dishonoured.

His comments come following a meeting with Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili in Baku today, February 12.

"[Our] countries have been always supported each other in European and other international organisations. We also back our countries territorial integrity,” Ilham Aliyev said.

On the Georgian side, President Margvelashvili confirmed territorial integrity was very serious issue and the country had chosen "the right path towards a peaceful solution of these problems”.

At the joint press conference today, Aliyev said Margelashvili’s visit was of "great importance” in terms of further developing fraternal and friendly relations between the two countries.

"Georgia is our brother, friend, neighbour and partner. I’m sure that the further development of our relations will be positive and dynamic,” Aliyev said.

The two presidents stressed that they had discussed economic cooperation perspectives and ongoing joint projects.

"Georgia and Azerbaijan has the great potential for the further development of economic and trade relations. We are estimating Georgia’s investment potential [and] Azerbaijani businessmen have already started investing in infrastructure, energy, transport and entrepreneur sectors,” Aliyev said.

He also underlined the importance of the joint projects that supported energy diversification and safety.

Aliyev called the second phase of the Shah Deniz project "historic”, which at its initial stage outlined the transportation of Azerbaijani gas to European markets.

The total cost of the Shah Deniz Stage 2 and South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP) Expansion projects is around 28 billion USD. Between 400-700 million USD will be invested in Georgia in the framework of construction for the second stage of development of the Shah Deniz gas field in the Caspian Sea, offshore from Azerbaijan. The project was signed last December, which was also attended by the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili.

"We have launched the development of a so-called 21st Century project that is one of the greatest infrastructures and energy project in Europe. Georgia, Azerbaijan and some other partner countries will also [be involved] in development of this historical project,” Aliyev said.

In his welcoming speech Margvelashvili noted that Georgia and Azerbaijan, and the people of the two countries, had continually shown a positive example of good neighbourly relations, which positively affected the development of the entire region.

"Azerbaijan is not only the big project and the transporter country of oil and gas for Georgia. Azerbaijan is a country that Georgia cooperates with in cultural, scientific and also in private contacts,” he said.

Margvelashvili invited the Azerbaijan President to Georgia and said he looked forward to his future visit, as well as visits by both countries’ high officials to reciprocate visits between Georgia and Azerbaijan.