Georgian FM: We are ready to work with Azerbaijan and Armenia in trilateral format

“Development of regional cooperation is a priority for Georgia. I believe that this is also the case for our neighbors in the region,” Georgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said in his speech at the panel “South Caucasus: New Opportunities for Regional Peace and Cooperation” at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

According to him, Georgia has excellent relations with Azerbaijan:

“Azerbaijan is our strategic partner, Turkey as well. We have historically close friendly relations with Armenia. There are great opportunities for regional cooperation. There are excellent practical examples of cooperation between Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. We participate in Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars, Southern Gas Corridor, and other projects. These projects are a demonstration of practical cooperation. We are sending this message to other countries in the region, to our Armenian colleagues. We are ready to work with Azerbaijan and Armenia to develop concrete projects and ideas on economic cooperation in a trilateral format. These areas may include transport, communications, use of the potential of the Black and Caspian Seas, humanitarian, business and trade relations, and cultural spheres. Opportunities for Turkey, the United States, and the European Union to join and develop these projects can also be considered. Because stability is not possible without important economic projects, and without stability, there is no development and progress.”

Zalkaliani also touched upon the humanitarian agreement reached between Azerbaijan and Armenia through Georgia: “This agreement is a good start. This process has development potential. I hope that after the elections in Armenia, there will be an opportunity to continue discussions on trilateral cooperation. I believe that Turkey, the United States, and the European Union will also play an essential role in this regional collaboration.”