The “strong, strategic partnership” between Georgia and Azerbaijan and “the centuries-old good neighbourly relations” were discussed on Thursday by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ali Asadov.
The sides reviewed the “most important” regional projects and the prospects of expanding cooperation in attracting direct investments. It was also highlighted that Azerbaijan was the fifth largest trade partner of Georgia according to the data of January-September of 2023, the Government Administration said.
Garibashvili emphasised his country’s readiness to deepen regional partnership on energy security with Azerbaijan, based on common interests, with the officials highlighting the importance of Georgia-Turkey-Azerbaijan trilateral cooperation.
The conversation also touched on the importance of establishing peace and stability in the region, with the Georgian PM thanking his counterpart for the unwavering support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for the non-recognition policy towards the country's Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions.
Garibashvili also confirmed Georgia’s steadfast support for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
In his social media post after the meeting, the Head of the Georgian Government said he was “confident” that bilateral ties “in the areas of mutual interest” between Georgia and Azerbaijan would be “further deepened”.
Delighted to meet w/ ???????? PM Ali Asadov in Tbilisi. Thankful for supporting ????????'s will to promote enduring peace & stability in the region. Confident that ????????&???????? bilateral ties in the areas of mutual interest will be further deepened! pic.twitter.com/k3tFEW3rKg
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) October 26, 2023
At the meeting, held on the sidelines of the ongoing Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, Garibashvili thanked Asadov for participating in the event and highlighted the platform’s importance amid current events in the world.