SHOULDER TO SHOULDER

Georgia's new Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze's visit to Azerbaijan marked a significant stride in enhancing the amicable and neighbourly relations between the two nations. The fruitful Baku-Tbilisi strategic dialogue continues to thrive through both bilateral cooperation and the trilateral Azerbaijan-Georgia-Türkiye framework.

Dialogue and Trilateral Cooperation

Before Kobakhidze's visit to Baku, two pivotal events set the stage for advancing Azerbaijani-Georgian ties. Firstly, the visit of Azerbaijan's Security Council Secretary, Ramil Usubov, to Georgia, where meetings were held with Prime Minister Kobakhidze, Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri, also serving as Secretary of the National Security Council, and Defence Minister Irakli Chikovani. Discussions between Usubov and Chikovani led to the announcement of a forthcoming trilateral defence ministers' meeting involving Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye in Georgia in 2024. This underscores the strategic importance of trilateral cooperation among the troika members in defence and security realms.

The overall prospects of the trilateral framework were deliberated during the 9th meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye, held just before Kobakhidze's visit to Baku. Subsequently, Jeyhun Bayramov, Ilya Darchiashvili, and Hakan Fidan signed a declaration following the trilateral discussions in Baku. The declaration outlined plans for further enhancing relations within the Azerbaijani-Georgian-Turkish format, emphasizing the importance of this cooperation in fostering sustainable development, stability, and peace across the entire region.

There are two key highlights in the Baku Declaration. The first focuses on the anticipated establishment of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia based on mutual recognition and respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and border inviolability. This development is poised to play a vital role in enhancing regional stability and security, paving the way for full cooperation potential in the South Caucasus. Furthermore, the positive contributions of Georgia and Türkiye in this context were underscored, with a specific emphasis on upholding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan and Georgia.

The second highlight pertains to the growing significance of regional transportation within the global landscape, particularly through the ongoing Middle Corridor project - the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. This route facilitates containerized transport via rail and sea through China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and onward to European destinations. The Baku Declaration advocates for the advancement of all economic projects uniting Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye, with a focus on coordinated development of transport and energy components of the Middle Corridor by the three countries in alignment with their respective interests. This includes bolstering initiatives like the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project.

These two aspects received detailed consideration during the visit of the Prime Minister of Georgia to Azerbaijan.

Economic Endeavours and Beyond

Prime Minister Kobakhidze's visit with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, accompanied by First Deputy Prime Minister Levan Davitashvili and Foreign Minister Ilya Darchiashvili, resulted in significant press statements. Both leaders reiterated the deep historical ties underlying Azerbaijani-Georgian relations of friendship and good neighbourliness. The discussions not only focused on economic projects but also highlighted the enduring bonds between the two nations.

Azerbaijan's President emphasised the significance of economic cooperation with Georgia, stressing its importance not only for the region but also for Eurasia. The joint implementation of infrastructure projects, especially in transport and energy sectors, holds significant value for numerous countries. President Aliyev highlighted the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, set to expand its capacity from 1 to 5 million tonnes, as a prime example of the attractiveness of Azerbaijani-Georgian collaboration.

The Southern Gas Corridor project, initiated by Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye, facilitates the export of Azerbaijani gas to various European nations through Georgia. President Aliyev underscored Azerbaijan's financial capabilities and the reliable partnership with Georgia as crucial elements ensuring energy security across many countries. Additionally, both nations are actively engaged in developing green energy projects, exploring the feasibility of large-scale ventures aimed at harnessing their renewable energy potential.

The leaders expressed satisfaction with the growing bilateral trade turnover nearing $900 million, with Azerbaijani investments totalling $3.4 billion in Georgia's economy. Prime Minister Kobakhidze highlighted Azerbaijan as one of Georgia's top five trade partners, anticipating further growth in these figures.

Azerbaijani-Georgian economic cooperation plays a crucial role in driving integration processes across Eurasia. It significantly influences the overall political dynamics in the region, bridging Asia and Europe, and connecting East and West. The strategic partnership between Baku and Tbilisi is essential for ensuring the security of the South Caucasus and neighbouring regions. Multilateral cooperation in the area is founded on principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity championed by Azerbaijan and Georgia. This goal gains particular importance amidst efforts by certain external forces to disrupt the situation in the South Caucasus.

Mutual Interests and Global Context

President Aliyev and Prime Minister Kobakhidze reiterated their mutual commitment to supporting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasizing the adherence to international law norms. "This commitment remains steadfast. The sanctity of a nation's territory cannot be altered through coercion. International law serves as the foundation for all countries, devoid of discrimination. Azerbaijan, having endured years of occupation, successfully reclaimed its territorial integrity and sovereignty. We understand that, at times, adherence to international norms necessitates the use of force—an approach sanctioned by legitimacy. The UN Charter upholds the inherent right of all nations to self-defense, a right Azerbaijan exercised to reclaim its territorial integrity," affirmed Ilham Aliyev.

Prime Minister Kobakhidze expressed gratitude for Azerbaijan's unwavering support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, reciprocating with similar assurances. He also underlined the broader "global context" of partnership and friendship between the two nations, pledging Georgia's dedication to enhancing regional stability. The commitment to upholding stability in the region remains a shared goal between Azerbaijan and Georgia in navigating complex geopolitical dynamics.

The recent intensification of global interests in the South Caucasus, particularly regarding Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations and their potential utilization for broader geopolitical objectives, has not gone unnoticed. This trend became more pronounced following Georgia's attainment of candidate status for European Union membership in December 2023, raising concerns about potential external influences leveraging Georgia against Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan adopts a pragmatic stance towards Georgia's EU rapprochement, acknowledging its neighbouring country's foreign policy decisions. President Ilham Aliyev, speaking at ADA University in December 2023, expressed confidence that Georgia's EU membership would further strengthen their mutual support within the organization. Despite external influences seeking to exploit regional dynamics, President Aliyev affirmed that Azerbaijan values its close relationship with Georgia and anticipates continued collaboration, even amidst evolving geopolitical landscapes.

However, there exists a risk of external forces manipulating Georgia to serve interests conflicting with Azerbaijan's stance following its victory in the Garabagh conflict and restoration of sovereignty across liberated territories. Certain Western entities, notably France, have been implicated in destabilizing the region by supplying arms to Armenia through Georgia, potentially jeopardizing regional stability and Azerbaijan's security.

France's activities align with broader efforts to diminish Russia's influence in the South Caucasus, as highlighted during NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's recent tour of the region. Azerbaijan's strategic assessment of NATO membership remains anchored in national interests rather than external geopolitical agendas, contrasting with Armenia's pro-Western inclinations and Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

The divergent foreign policy priorities between Azerbaijan and Georgia, despite their historical partnership, pose challenges that both nations are cognizant of and committed to addressing. Prime Minister Kobakhidze's visit to Azerbaijan underscores mutual recognition of these risks and the shared imperative to navigate geopolitical complexities while reinforcing regional security cooperation.

President Aliyev's assurance of continued collaboration and solidarity resonates with the shared commitment to advancing mutual interests, while Prime Minister Kobakhidze's pledge to deepen friendship, cooperation, and partnership underscores the ongoing efforts to fortify Azerbaijani-Georgian relations amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics in the South Caucasus and beyond.