Azerbaijan and Georgia have reaffirmed their strategic partnership through the signing of a comprehensive package of agreements aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, energy, and connectivity during the visit of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to Baku for the WUF13 summit.
The signing ceremony took place on May 18, 2026, in Baku, attended by President Ilham Aliyev and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing the Ministry of Economy. Both leaders emphasized the significance of the signed documents in expanding cooperation, particularly highlighting the vital role of Azerbaijan and Georgia as connectivity hubs for numerous countries and the importance of further deepening collaboration in this direction.
The signed documents include intergovernmental agreements on the supply of natural gas to Georgia, the continuation of transit arrangements for the additional supply of Azerbaijani natural gas to international markets, the supply of electricity to Georgia, and the transit of electricity through Georgian territory to Türkiye. Additionally, a Protocol of the Coordination Council was signed, confirming the final acceptance and completion of modernization works within the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project. To implement these intergovernmental agreements, the respective state energy companies of both countries signed Term Sheets outlining the main commercial parameters of contracts to be finalized no later than October 15, 2026.
Furthermore, the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), SOCAR Midstream Operations LLC (SMO), and the Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation (GOGC) signed Term Sheets for an Operations Agreement defining the operating conditions for the Georgian section of the Western Route Export Pipeline, including the Supsa Oil Terminal and related infrastructure. The Coordination Council Protocol also formalized the transfer of relevant railway infrastructure to the "BTKI Railways" LLC Joint Venture to oversee the management of the railway line, marking a significant step in strengthening regional connectivity. Crucially, the parties agreed to resume daily passenger train services on the Baku-Tbilisi-Baku route starting May 26, 2026.
The restoration of the Baku-Tbilisi rail link is a landmark development for regional tourism and logistics, marking the return of a vital transport artery that has historically connected the South Caucasus. This move aligns with Azerbaijan's broader strategy to transform the region into a major transit hub between Europe and Asia. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway, often referred to as the "Iron Silk Road," serves as a backbone for the Middle Corridor, facilitating faster and more efficient trade routes that bypass traditional northern corridors, thereby enhancing the economic integration of the participating nations.
