Earlier today, the Georgian foreign minister, Ilia Darchiashvili, was in Baku to meet with the Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev, and the foreign minister, Jeyhun Bayramov.
Darchiashvili and Aliyev discussed the state of Azerbaijani-Georgian relations, noting that the friendly ties enjoyed between the two countries had been important for regional stability. They discussed bilateral cooperation in various fields and gave a positive assessment of the joint economic projects currently being carried out.
The Azerbaijani president also touched upon the possible opportunities for trilateral cooperation between the three South Caucasus countries, re-affirming Baku’s readiness to begin working with Georgia and Armenia to promote peace and security in the post-conflict period. This position was reportedly shared by the Georgian side.
During the meeting between the two foreign ministers, the state of the ongoing close cooperation between both countries in key sectors was discussed. In particular, they noted the increase in trade turnover, emphasising that there was still untapped potential were further work was needed to deepen cooperation. Bayramov stated that Azerbaijan-Georgia relations in the South Caucasus were an example which could be used as a successful model for neighbouring countries. This relationship was likely to be strengthened further, he added, by the signing of new documents and agreements in the near future. Darchiashvili said that trade and economic relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia were “at their highest level”.
The foreign ministers reportedly expressed “unequivocal support for each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity”, based on the principles of international law.
As part of the meeting, Bayramov also briefed Darchiashvili on the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace process, stating that the conditions for the joint border commission were now in place, and that work on demarcation and delimitation would begin soon. The Georgian foreign minister said he welcomed these efforts to achieve peace and re-stated Georgia’s support for the process.
As part of his working visit, Darchiashvili is also meeting with Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker, Sahiba Gafarova.
source: commonspace.eu and agencies
photo: Darchiashvili meets with Aliyev in Baku; official website of the president of Azerbaijan