After the meeting in an expanded format, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili made statements for the press.

Statement by President Ilham Aliyev

- Dear Mr. President!

Distinguished guests!

I want to welcome you to Azerbaijan again. You are welcome to our country! We attach great importance to the visit of the President of Georgia to Azerbaijan. I am glad that we have had a very good discussion and conversation. We have reaffirmed the strategic nature of our relations.

The relations between our peoples form the basis of relations between our countries. Today, Azerbaijan and Georgia are two independent states that support each other in international institutions. We have very strong political relations. We cooperate within the UN, the Council of Europe and other international organizations and always support each other. We always support each other on the issue of territorial integrity of our countries. The territorial integrity of Georgia and Azerbaijan, as well as norms of international law, have been grossly violated.

Today we have also discussed the prospects for economic cooperation. We believe that there is great potential for expanding our economic relations and increasing trade. The level of trade exchanges can grow. At the same time, there are good opportunities for mutual investments, and we will evaluate the details of investments in Georgia. At the same time, Azerbaijani companies have started to invest in infrastructure, energy and transport sector of Georgia. This also applies to the industrial sector.

Of course, today we also discussed issues that relate to our joint projects associated with energy diversification and energy security. Cooperation in the energy sector has a good history. The major export pipelines transporting oil and gas from Azerbaijan pass through Georgia. For many years this cooperation has been very successful. Of course, we also discussed our future plans related to energy diversification. As you know, the contract of the 21st century was signed in Baku in December of last year. It is the largest infrastructure and energy project in Europe. The total volume of investment will make up $45 billion. Of course, Azerbaijan, Georgia and other partners and friends will do everything possible to implement this historic project. An important part of our bilateral cooperation is also transportation. In this area we are implementing a project that will connect regions and continents.

We also discussed cooperation in the humanitarian sphere and contacts between people. I am very glad that the Georgian President will travel to the regions of Azerbaijan tomorrow and to meet with Azerbaijan’s Georgian community. Several years ago I met with the Azerbaijanis living in Marneuli. Such meetings are also important for the future development of our relations.

The Georgians in Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijanis in Georgia are our greatest wealth. Naturally, their life and work are important to our bilateral ties. I want to highlight that throughout history the Georgians and Azerbaijanis have always lived in an atmosphere of peace and friendship. Today our relationship is a relationship between brothers, friends and strategic partners. And the visit of the President of Georgia reaffirms my words.

Mr. President, welcome to Azerbaijan. I do hope that your visit to Azerbaijan will be successful.

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Statement by President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili

- Thank you, Mr. President.

I want to mention again a very good start to our visit to Baku, an important meeting we have had and the reception. We have felt your hospitality from the first hours.

Yes, our states were exemplary in establishing relations leading to the strategic well-being for the future of the country and the region. Our projects create the best opportunities for the future not only of our countries but also of other regions. Therefore, the exceptional partnership between our countries and the commitment to jointly implement our energy and transport projects provide a better future for millions of people in the region and beyond.

At the same time, I want to note that Azerbaijan is extremely important for Georgia not only in terms of large-scale projects, cooperation in the field of oil and gas, transport, but also in terms of culture, science and human relations.

As I mentioned, we are developing our partnership in the political sphere. It is also very important for us because by this partnership we are enriching our societies and states.

It is clear that there are serious problems with territorial integrity. I believe that we are on the right track and moving in the right direction for a peaceful solution to these problems. Let the solution to solve these problems lie through the further improvement of the welfare of our countries and the implementation of very important joint projects.

We look forward to the implementation of high-level visits between our two countries. We are sincerely interested in a visit of President Aliyev to Georgia. We wholeheartedly wish to further improve the lifestyle of the Azerbaijanis in Georgia and of the Georgians in Azerbaijan. In this area, we also demonstrate exceptional partnership opportunities.

Today I told Mr. President that after returning to Tbilisi I would meet with our Azerbaijani compatriots on Novruz holiday and celebrate this holiday together with them. We work in partnership in this area and demonstrate special opportunities for cooperation between our countries.

Thank you again, Mr. President.