Azerbaijan and Georgia Strengthen Economic Ties in Baku Talks

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev hosted Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday for high-level talks aimed at further developing the strategic partnership between the two neighboring countries in the South Caucasus.

Baku continues to extend diplomatic support to Tbilisi. Following Georgia’s parliamentary elections, which faced criticism from the West, Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to officially congratulate the victory of the "Georgian Dream" party. Kobakhidze’s visit to Azerbaijan is seen as an opportunity to solidify the legitimacy of the Georgian government on the international stage and explore new ways to overcome political isolation.

Kobakhidze’s visit coincided with the 10th session of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, where key aspects of the bilateral agenda were discussed. The commission, co-chaired by Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov and his Georgian counterpart, underscored the significance of these relations.

During bilateral meetings, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to the principle of each other’s territorial integrity, a stance highlighted amid ongoing regional challenges. Ali Asadov, congratulating Kobakhidze on his reappointment, emphasized that strengthening ties with Georgia remains a priority in Azerbaijan’s foreign policy.

A crucial outcome of the discussions was the focus on advancing trade and investment relations. Azerbaijan, as the largest investor in the Georgian economy, actively supports projects in the transport and energy sectors.

The commission reiterated its support for key joint projects, including the Southern Gas Corridor, which remains the backbone of energy cooperation between the two countries. The "Green Energy Bridge" project, supported by the European Union, was also reviewed, promising to transform the region’s energy landscape.

Transport infrastructure received particular attention. Discussions included plans to increase the capacity of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway from 1 million to 5 million tons annually. Additionally, the Baku International Sea Trade Port, a critical hub for cargo transit, aims to expand its capacity to 25 million tons per year.

The visit highlighted the importance of cultural and educational cooperation. A significant agenda item was the groundbreaking ceremony for a new building of the Heydar Aliyev Tbilisi State Azerbaijani Drama Theater.

The visit concluded with the signing of several agreements, including:

• A protocol on the results of the commission’s work.
• A memorandum of understanding on consular cooperation.
• Bilateral agreements on maritime transport and environmental protection.

These developments underscore the commitment of Azerbaijan and Georgia to deepen their strategic partnership across political, economic, and cultural dimensions, reinforcing their roles as key allies in the South Caucasus.