With joint efforts Azerbaijan, Georgia will ensure economic independence, become important countries in region - President Aliyev

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Saturday said with joint efforts of his country and Georgia, both nations would “not only ensure” economic independence but also become “very important” countries for the South Caucasus region and the Euro-Asian continent.

In his comments at the joint press briefing with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Baku, Aliyev noted the relationship between the two countries was “built on a solid foundation of deeply rooted friendship”, highlighting the joint projects in infrastructure, transport and energy.

He emphasised the countries would take additional steps in enhancing ties, especially in the field of transportation, stressing new infrastructure initiatives would be “crucial” for connecting “many countries” through the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway construction project.

This [Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project] is one of our most important achievements. We increased its capacity from one to five billion tons. This project will be completed in two months”, the President added.

High-level delegations from Georgia will be involved in the meetings of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council starting in March, Aliyev said, highlighting the roles of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey in initiating “very important” projects, which will ensure supplying gas to many countries from Azerbaijan through Georgia.

We have resources, financial resources, investment means, we have reliable friends like Georgia, we have very wide transit opportunities, and therefore our opportunity will allow many countries to get reliable energy resources in the coming years through the joint efforts of Georgia and Azerbaijan”, he added.

The Azerbaijani official also pointed out the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipeline projects as successful examples of energy projects, stressing that soon Azerbaijan and Georgia would have “very rich renewable energy resources”.

He also congratulated Georgia on its recent “successful achievements”, especially amid the current geopolitical situation, and praised the country’s “well-considered” reforms.