Georgian PM hails “very close” ties with Azerbaijan, Armenia, efforts to improve cooperation

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday hailed his country’s “very close” ties with neighbouring Azerbaijan and Armenia and the ongoing efforts to sign a peace deal for ending their lasting dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. 

• Georgian PM: Georgia “neutral, impartial” mediator between Azerbaijan, Armenia

Addressing a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the Georgian top official commended the “shared desire” of Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders to resolve the conflict as an “appropriate approach”. 

He also recounted his office's mediation two years ago, which concluded with Azerbaijan releasing 15 prisoners of war and Armenia providing the former with maps detailing mined areas. 

Reflecting on challenges posed by multiple mediators and stakeholders, Garibashvili underscored the potential for “increased conflict and counterproductivity in the absence of a focused bilateral process”, while extending his “best wishes” to both states for success on their path of restoring bilateral ties.