Georgia, Azerbaijan agree to cooperate on ‘breakaway’ territories

By Asbarez | Thursday, 13 February 2014

Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili (left) toasts Azeri President Ilham Aliyev at a state dinner during his visit to Baku. Feb. 12, 2014. (Photo: official publication)


TBILISI (DF Watch)—Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said Georgia and Azerbaijan support each other in issues of “territorial integrity” during a visit by Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili to Baku on Wednesday.

 

The comment was in reference to Karabakh, relating it to Georgia’s issues with segments of the country that have been demanding independence, such as South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Tbilisi ended diplomatic relations with Moscow after Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia following a short war with Georgia in 2008.

The Presidents agreed to support and cooperate with each other on the issue.

According to RFE/RL, Margvelashvili praised Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for helping build a “warm and friendly” relationship with Georgia.

Speaking at a joint press conference, Margvelashvili also pointed to the “historic” railroad project his country and Azerbaijan are taking part in, saying the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line would be a new bridge between Europe and Asia, RFE/RL reported.

The two presidents also discussed other transit projects involving Caspian Basin energy resources destined for European markets that cross both Azerbaijani and Georgian territories.

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