Prime Minister Gharibashvili meets with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
The Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili met with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
During the meeting held within the working visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Georgia, special friendly relations and strategic partnership between Georgia and the Republic of Azerbaijan were emphasized.
The high level of strategic partnership and active political dialogue between the two countries was noted. Intensive cooperation in trade and economic direction was emphasized.
Irakli Gharibashvili noted that peace and stability in the region ensures economic development. It was said that Georgia and the Republic of Azerbaijan closely cooperate in the direction of foreign policy and work with united forces to overcome existing challenges.
Willingness to further strengthen bilateral political, economic, cultural and other types of ties between the two countries was expressed.
The discussion at the meeting touched upon the security environment of the region and the world.
According to the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili, Georgia is one of the most important countries and friends of Azerbaijan.
As he stated at the briefing after the meeting with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan is the most important strategic partner for Georgia.
"Mr. President, I welcome the initiative you announced in Prague regarding the creation of a mechanism for a joint tripartite discussion format in the South Caucasus. We also talked about existing economic, energy, trade and transport projects and their importance. Georgia is one of the most important countries and friends of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is the most important strategic partner of Georgia. We also reviewed important strategic projects implemented by us, which can be said to be of historical importance", said the Prime Minister.
He confirmed his willingness to further strengthen bilateral relations.
"We confirm our full readiness to activate the relationship as much as possible for both current and planned projects. Finally, I would like to borrow from your father, the national leader of Azerbaijan, a person we respect very much, Heydar Aliyev, and recall the words he spoke during his visit to Tbilisi, Georgia, with which he addressed the Georgian society: "Azerbaijani and Georgian people were lucky when they were given the opportunity to live next to each other and have close relations. Our ancestors saw the fruits of this happiness. Our task is to give eternal life to this tradition and pass it on to future generations." Thank you once again", said the Prime Minister.
"I informed the Prime Minister of Georgia about the ongoing peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and we believe that the resolution of this conflict requires the signing of a peace agreement by Azerbaijan and Armenia.
We have already shared 5 basic principles with Armenia, and we have so much that Armenia will show political will, start peace negotiations and sign a peace agreement," said the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, at the briefing after the meeting.
"We touched on many issues during the meeting and we will continue the conversation on other issues as well. Of course, current events in the region, security issues are at the center of our discussions. After the Karabakh war, a new situation was formed.
I informed the Prime Minister of Georgia about the ongoing peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and we believe that the resolution of this conflict requires the signing of a peace agreement by Azerbaijan and Armenia. We have already shared 5 main principles with Armenia and we hope that Armenia will show political will, start peace talks and sign a peace agreement.
If this happens, peace will be established in the South Caucasus and there will be new opportunities for cooperation.
Today we also have the opportunity to hold consultations between Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. If Armenia is ready, we will be ready to start this format today," said Ilham Aliyev.
