Georgian experts: Visit of Azerbaijan's President will further strengthen inter-country cooperation and regional peace-OPINION

"The business trip of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Georgia and the messages voiced by him are timely and truthful,' Victor Kipiani, the Chair of a Georgian think tank organization Geocase told, Qazet.az reports. 

He emphasized that this visit is important in terms of further strengthening bilateral relations between the countries: "I think that this visit is very timely after the recent events in the South Caucasus, and delaying it could affect the trajectory of the future development of events. President Ilham Aliyev voiced various initiatives before he visited Tbilisi. Tbilisi welcomed and supported these initiatives related to long-term peace and stability in the region. We should also consider the visits of high-ranking officials of Georgia to Baku. I think that this visit of the President of Azerbaijan is a very true signal and message that the cooperation between the countries will become stronger. This is greatly appreciated and welcomed. We hope that the foundations of regional peace and bilateral relations will be further strengthened through these visits."

Viktor Kipiani noted that the new reality makes it necessary for the countries to implement new joint business projects: "We already have certain infrastructure projects. But we will conduct new cross-border business projects. This will speed up the dynamics of our relationship. There are important projects, such as Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, and Southern Gas Corridor, implemented jointly by our countries. But the new era dictates a new reality. Therefore, the discussion of new projects and new initiatives is on the agenda to strengthen the position of our region on the global business map."

According to the expert of the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies (Rondeli Foundation), David Batashvili, the trade turnover between the countries exceeding 1 billion dollars shows the positive dynamics of relations. According to the expert, Azerbaijan and Georgia can play a big role in the energy supply of Europe against the background of the current international geopolitical situation.

"Georgia and Azerbaijan have always had close relations and there has never been a problem in bilateral relations. On the contrary, bilateral relations are developing. For example, trade turnover has exceeded 1 bln dollars. Of course, it is needed to continue this. Visit of the President Ilham Aliyev is important in terms of this. Besides that, Europe has an energy need due to the Russia-Ukraine war recently and Azerbaijan will meet a big part of this need. Of course, this energy, this natural gas will pass over Georgia. This visit is also important in terms of this. At the same time, this year marks the 30 years anniversary of our diplomatic relations. Officially, 30 years pass. But we are historically neighbors, we have lived in these lands for centuries and will live. Of course, diplomatic relations have been built after gaining independence, I hope that this will go on forever," said the expert.