Azerbaijani President says Europe’s energy security “unimaginable” without Georgia

At a joint press conference with Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday emphasised the strategic significance of the multifaceted cooperation between Georgia and Azerbaijan.

He stressed that the two countries were united by a number of crucial projects that not only benefit their own nations but also have a global impact.

“These are major projects in the fields of oil and gas, transport, and communications. They are not only of regional importance but are shaping the transport map of the South Caucasus and the entire Eurasian region”, Aliyev said.

Aliyev further underlined Georgia's critical role in ensuring Europe’s energy security, highlighting the transit of Azerbaijani energy resources through Georgian territory.

“Today, if we speak about Europe’s energy security, it is unimaginable without Georgia. Azerbaijan delivers its oil and gas to 12 countries through Georgia. These exports depend on Georgia’s territory. We are also implementing major infrastructure projects in the transportation and communication sectors, including ports and highways”, he noted.

He added that the initiatives were an integral part of the Middle Corridor - a vital trade route connecting East and West.

“If we talk about the Middle Corridor in the South Caucasus today, it is the route that passes through Azerbaijan and Georgia. The volume of cargo transported across our countries is steadily increasing”, he concluded.