NEIGHBOURS COMPARE NOTES

Joint energy and transport projects, problems of territorial integrity and simply good neighbourly relations - this is perhaps a generalized list of the main factors which define the current level of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Georgia.  As there are many more subjects for discussion and areas of cooperation, regular contacts between the sides are important.

Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze's visit to Azerbaijan on 18-19 January 2011 can be called the latest instance of comparing notes by the neighbours.  At a meeting with the head of the foreign political department of the neighbouring state, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stressed the successful implementation by Azerbaijan and Georgia of projects in the energy sector.  He also noted the importance of promoting political and economic ties with Georgia.  The talks continued in greater detail at the foreign ministers' level.

In his short interview with R+, Grigol Vashadze called his visit to Baku fruitful and expressed his satisfaction with the level of relations between the two countries in general.

- Mr Vashadze, what is your assessment of the results of your visit to Baku?

- My meetings with my Azerbaijani opposite number Elmar Mammadyarov have become a tradition of sorts, and I can only welcome this. I was glad to visit Baku again. We had the first political consultations this year, and our discussions were important and effective.  At present, we are conducting an appraisal of the current state of relations between Georgia and Azerbaijan, and we have decided to make our relations even closer. We also discussed issues of stability in the South Caucasus and economic projects. I have to say that the joint economic projects which we are implementing are highly important for Azerbaijani-Georgian relations. We reached decisions on these important issues. In addition, we discussed the possibility of reaching a common position in international organizations on issues of mutual interest, especially on the implementation of joint projects with the European Union.

- Late last year, Poland urged its citizens to refrain from travelling to Nagornyy Karabakh without permission from relevant government agencies of Azerbaijan. Will Georgia join the countries which do not recommend their citizens to travel to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan? What instructions do Georgian citizens have in this respect?

- We are not joining any initiatives, we urge others to join ours. There are binding laws for the Georgians. There is an instruction prohibiting Georgian citizens to visit conflict areas, including Nagornyy Karabakh, without permission from the Azerbaijani authorities. I do not remember when it was last violated. I think this happened in 2009.

- And what about the demarcation of the Azerbaijan-Georgian border? To all appearances, there is no progress on this issue. What is the problem?

- We discussed this issue too. We are working on this issue, the commission holds meetings and talks. I have to say that it is a very sensitive and serious issue, so I cannot comment on it yet. We shall make comments on this issue when experts complete their work.

- In conclusion, please familiarize us with your assessment of the influence of Azerbaijani projects in the energy sector on the development of the Georgian economy.

- The influence is great and positive. As you know, we have created this situation ourselves - both Georgia and Azerbaijan. Today our countries produce energy for themselves and do not depend on anyone. Energy security is important in guaranteeing national independence. From an economic point of view, we do not depend on anyone. The heads of our states and governments have done a lot of work in this direction. The leadership of your country should pride itself on the development of the energy sector of Azerbaijan. It is difficult to overestimate this work. We have achieved this together. I can only appreciate this. We are pleased to have a neighbour like Azerbaijan.