Georgian PM: economic cooperation key pillar of Georgia-Azerbaijan strategic partnership

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday described economic cooperation as one of the key pillars of the strategic partnership between Georgia and Azerbaijan, noting that Azerbaijan is among Georgia’s largest trading partners and that the steady growth in bilateral trade reflects the deepening of economic ties.

Addressing the 11th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Georgia and Azerbaijan, Kobakhidze said Georgia aimed to build on the progress achieved by making better use of the export potential of Georgian products, further diversifying trade relations and encouraging increased investment.

“Alongside strengthening trade and economic ties, we attach particular importance to the development of the Middle Corridor, which connects Asia with Europe via the Caspian and Black Seas. Our shared goal is to further increase the capacity, efficiency and competitiveness of this route”, he said.

“To achieve this goal, Georgia is implementing large-scale infrastructure projects. Construction of the East-West Highway is underway, the modernisation of Georgian Railways has been completed, and efforts to further expand the capacity of our railway network are continuing”, Kobakhidze added.

He also highlighted the importance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, describing it as an integral part of the regional transport network.

“We are pleased to have successfully completed the implementation of this project. The Anaklia deep-sea port and the new Tbilisi International Airport projects will further enhance the country’s transit and logistics potential, which is also important for the development of bilateral relations”, the Prime Minister concluded.