Azerbaijan, Georgia Strengthen Ties Amid Regional Tensions

BAKU, Azerbaijan — Azerbaijan and Georgia held high-level discussions Thursday aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and addressing regional security challenges. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili met in Baku to discuss political, economic, and humanitarian aspects of their strategic partnership.

Bayramov highlighted Azerbaijan’s efforts in post-conflict reconstruction, demining, and peace initiatives in the South Caucasus. “Azerbaijan and Georgia have always approached international law with sensitivity, and we have always supported each other’s territorial integrity and will continue to do so,” Bayramov said during a joint press briefing. He also criticized Armenia, stating, “Unfortunately, we cannot say the same about the other country in the region.”

Botchorishvili emphasized the importance of Georgia’s strategic partnership with Azerbaijan. “The strategic partnership with Azerbaijan is very important for Georgia. There is a very strong friendship between our peoples,” she said. She also noted Georgia’s priority of integrating into European and Euro-Atlantic structures, highlighting its status as a European Union candidate country.

The meeting comes amid ongoing tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which have persisted since 1991 when Armenian forces occupied Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. Most of the region was liberated by Azerbaijan during a 44-day war in 2020, and full sovereignty was established in September 2023 following an anti-terrorist operation.

Both ministers expressed a commitment to deepening bilateral relations and addressing regional challenges. The 10th session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Georgia and Azerbaijan, led by the prime ministers of both countries, is also set to take place, further solidifying their partnership.