Tbilisi: The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili, met with Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev on Monday. The officials discussed a ‘unique partnership’, and regional and global challenges while focusing on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The countries also discussed the prospects of increasing the export of gas to Europe, as stated by the officials during a press conference held in the Georgian city of Mtskheta.
Of course, we talked about the future energy policy. We exchanged opinions about the projects we implemented. From an operational point of view, these projects are very successful, and we expect to start new projects to increase the export of natural gas to international markets”, stated the Azerbaijani president.
Adding further, Aliyev said that a memorandum of understanding has also been signed with Georgia, looking forward to increasing the gas exports to Europe by two times. The countries can benefit from the opportunity to export around 20 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Europe by the year 2027.
Also, the load being carried by the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline would increase for the export of natural gas. Meanwhile, the suspended Baku-Tbilisi terminal would also be made operational. Further, the electricity that Azerbaijan is planning to export will also pass through Georgian territory.
“The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway can be loaded even more. This route is in the interest of all countries”, he added.
The Georgian PM Garibashvili praised the ‘unique partnership and friendship between the two countries.Â
Georgia is one of the really important countries and friends of Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan is the most significant strategic partner,” he said.
Also, he stated that during the meeting with Aliyev, they had reviewed strategic projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project and Southern natural gas corridor.
Along with this, the leaders of the respective nations discussed the current situation in the world and the region.Â
“We agree that what is happening in Ukraine should be settled through negotiations; in the face of complex challenges in the region and the world, peace and stability are of great importance”, said the Georgian prime minister.
