President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, on May 18 to discuss the expansion of strategic cooperation and the implementation of regional energy and transport projects. The meeting, held in Baku, focused on strengthening the bilateral partnership and addressing the peace process in the South Caucasus.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the head of state recalled his state visit to Georgia in April with satisfaction, noting its significant contribution to the reinforcement of bilateral relations. President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the importance of the documents signed during the meeting for the further expansion of cooperation. Prime Minister Kobakhidze expressed his gratitude for the hospitality and congratulated the President on Baku hosting the 13th session of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13), describing it as an excellent platform for discussing the global urban agenda.
Following the high-level talks, several strategic documents were signed between the governments of Azerbaijan and Georgia. These include an agreement on the supply of natural gas to Georgia, an agreement on the supply and transit of electricity through Georgian territory, and the Protocol of the 41st meeting of the Coordinating Council for the rehabilitation and construction of the Marabda-Turkey border section under the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway project.
Azerbaijan and Georgia serve as the primary components of the Middle Corridor, a vital logistics route connecting Europe and Asia. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and various energy pipelines, such as the Southern Gas Corridor, underscore the strategic importance of the Baku-Tbilisi partnership for European energy security. These projects not only enhance regional connectivity but also solidify the role of both nations as key transit hubs in the Eurasian landmass, contributing to the overall stability and economic integration of the South Caucasus region.
