On 5 May, Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili visited Baku where he met with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev in order to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

“We have a very good history of implementation of joint projects, like energy projects, transportation projects and these projects have changed the map of the region, political, economic, transportation and energy map. Without strong partnership between our countries the implementation of this project wouldn’t have been possible. The last day of the last year was the last day of the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor project which has a tremendous importance for general development, for stability, predictability, cooperation not only in the region of Caucasus but in a broader Eurasian region. Without our cooperation again, that wouldn’t have been possible. So, I am very grateful to the Georgian government for constant support in implementation of this important project,” Aliyev stated during the meeting.

Aliyev also stated that Azerbaijan is among the largest investors in the Georgian economy thanks to the reforms which have been carried out in the country. “There is a good investment climate in Georgia, and I know that many Azerbaijani companies are interested in working there,” Aliyev emphasised.  

While summing up the meeting, Garibashvili noted that the discussions with Azerbaijan’s Head of State were “fruitful.” “We discussed a number of issues, including the issues of strategic partnership between the two countries. As you know, we have many years of history of very fruitful cooperation, and we are motivated to carry out even more projects together. We also discussed the situation in the region, including security issues, touched on virtually every issue between the two countries, including the issue of David Gareji, and agreed that the dialogue would continue, accelerate, and be resolved very soon as [it] befits our brotherhood, friendship. The commissions will continue to work very soon and more specifically will be announced later,” he stated. 

The Georgian Prime Minister also met with Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister Ali Asadov, as well as the country’s Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova, where economic issues were discussed and how to intensify work on investments between the two countries. 

The Georgian Patriarchate also made a public statement following Garibashvili’s visit to Baku, saying that a “hopeful signal” emerged regarding the David Gareja monastery complex issue. “We hope that these talks will solve this problem. Prime Minister Garibashvili said that the parties agreed to resolve the issue in a way that fits brotherhood and friendship. We are waiting for concrete results,” stated the Patriarchate’s Head of the Public Relations Department Andria Jagmaidze.