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• LASHA DARSALIA HAS MET WITH MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION OF AZERBAIJAN AND TURKEY

  On 6 March 2023, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Lasha Darsalia, held a meeting with the members of Chairman of the International and Inter-Parliamentary Relations Committee of the Milli Majlis, and the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, who are on an official visit to Georgia.

  Discussions focused on the importance of the strategic cooperation, including the inter-parliamentary Georgia-Turkey-Azerbaijan cooperation.

  Special attention was paid to the new regional project on strategic partnership in the field of green energy development and transmission initiated by Georgia.

  The parties talked about the complex security environment of the region, existing challenges and the importance of diplomatic efforts. Opportunities of the region and aspects of future cooperation were highlighted. The sides stated that they are ready to make appropriate contributions to ensuring regional peace and stability.

  During the meeting, the Turkish side expressed special thanks to Georgia for the invaluable assistance provided to the Republic of Turkey after the devastating earthquake.

• Georgian President visits U.S.

  Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has left for the U.S. to address the 67th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), slated for 6-17 March 2023.

  The President will also meet with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous, and UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner.

  Zourabichvili will hold bilateral meetings with New York Mayor, Eric Adams, and the Presidents of the countries participating in the forum.

  She will also visit Yale and Harvard Universities to deliver a public lecture at the Harvard Kennedy School.

• President Ilham Aliyev shares twitter post over attack on Azerbaijan’s embassy in Iran

  President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has shared a twitter post over the treacherous attack on the embassy of Azerbaijan in Tehran.

  “I strongly condemn a terrorist act committed today against our embassy in Tehran. I express deep condolence to the family and relatives of senior lieutenant Askarov Orkhan Rizvan oğlu killed while ensuring the security of the embassy and its employees. We demand the soonest investigation into the terrorist act and punishment of the terrorists. The terrorist attack on the diplomatic mission is unacceptable!” the post reads.

  Source: https://azertag.az/en/xeber/President_Ilham_Aliyev_shares_twitter_post_over_attack_on_Azerbaijans_embassy_in_Iran-2462285?fbclid=IwAR1RXEizV6GhlevwYgMZKXxO8g-kelU3RjWcFQlrFaW8odxjO9LYP0-nIxU

• Prime Minister of Georgia: Together with Azerbaijan we are developing different initiatives. For example, I want to mention the Black Sea Submarine Electric Cable

  Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia participated in a Panel Discussion on Eurasia Middle Corridor: From Pathway to Highway, held within the scope of 2023 World Economic Forum in Davos today.

  “First of all, thank you very much for organizing this panel. This is very important. You mentioned the war in Ukraine. It is catastrophic for the entire region. Of course, it affects us as well. I think this war has shown us that countries and nations need to diversify their economies. I think before the war less countries paid less attention to the Middle Corridor, but after the war the attention is growing. It is increasing. So, therefore, as President Aliyev has mentioned, I also want to repeat that we have an excellent relationship with Azerbaijan, with Kazakhstan; with Turkey we have a strategic partnership. And, I think, the chemistry is here and we have a strong foundation to work together” it was stated by Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia at a Panel Discussion on Eurasia Middle Corridor: From Pathway to Highway, held within the scope of 2023 World Economic Forum in Davos today.

  As the Head of Government of Georgia noted, the country is investing heavily in its infrastructure.

  “We in Georgia are investing heavily in infrastructure right now. First of all, I want to mention that we are building highways, which will be completed by the end of 2024. We are spending 2 or 3 BLN USD to complete this highway. Of course, this will facilitate transportation. Secondly, I want to mention the ports.

  Port capacity of the Black Sea of Georgia is quite big, but we need to increase it. Therefore, I want to mention one particular project, which is Anaklia Deep Sea Port. We have decided that the Government of Georgia will start the construction of this port. 51% of this port or consortium we want to build will be owned by Georgia – by the Government of Georgia. The rest – 49% – will be put on an international tender. We are talking with many potential investors about this. Now, why are we doing this? Why do we want to build this port? President Aliyev mentioned about the increase of capacity of Azerbaijani ports. I think Kazakhstan has the same intention. So, Georgia now has a capacity of about 550 000 TU in Poti Port, around 200 000 in Batumi Port. This is not enough. So, that is why we want to implement this project” added the Prime Minister of Georgia.

  The Head of Government of Georgia focused on the Black Sea Submarine Electricity Cable, as an ambitious project, thereby referring to it as a very interesting initiative.

  “Thirdly, I want to mention that we are together with Azerbaijan in developing different initiatives. For example, I want to mention the Black Sea Submarine Electric Cable, which is also very interesting. We are doing this together with Azerbaijan, Romania and Hungary. This initiative is backed by the European Union. In fact, we were in Bucharest in September, where we signed a Memorandum. All 4 countries will implement and invest in this – I would say – ambitious project. But this is very interesting. And, therefore, we must be ready for the increased flow of goods. I also want to mention that this corridor and this route is the shortest to connect Asia with Europe. For example, trains from China can come to Georgia within 15 days, maximum 20 days. Compared to transportation by sea, it takes 45 days, right? So, therefore, this is a very interesting, very important corridor. Of course, all these countries are definitely motivated and determined to develop this corridor” noted Irakli Garibashvili.

  The Head of Government of Georgia, similar to other panel participants, responded to the questions posed by Mirek Dušek, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

  According to the Prime Minister of Georgia, the country is modernizing its railway. Besides, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) Project is underway.

  “We are talking about the highways and railways. Right now our railway capacity in Georgia is 25 million tons. We are now implementing the modernization of our railway. It will be completed by the end of 2024. Capacity will be about 48 million tons. Besides that, together with Azerbaijan, we are now building a Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. In fact, several months ago, Azerbaijan provided additional funds to complete this project. So it will also be ready by 2024. This is another 5 million tons of cargo. So, these are strategically very important projects.

  I also want to mention the relationship between Azerbaijan and Georgia. This relationship is tested and reliable. We have implemented very important, historic projects together, such as the oil and gas pipelines. Now comes this railway project and many others which will come in the future” noted the Prime Minister of Georgia.

  Press Service of the Government Administration
• Top EBRD officials to visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan

  European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Vice President for Policy and Partnerships Mark Bowman and Managing Director for Eastern Europe and the Caucasus Matteo Patrone will tour the Caucasus from 16 to 19 January, first visiting Armenia, then Georgia, before concluding their trip in Azerbaijan.  

  The purpose of the trip is to discuss upcoming projects in both the private but also public sectors. Discussions on financial resilience, policy reform and the preparation for the Bank’s upcoming new country strategies are also on the agenda. 

  The visit follows EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso’s recent tour of the Caucasus in September. 

  In all three countries, the delegation will meet the political leadership, diplomats, international development partners, leaders of the business community and the Bank’s existing partners. 

  While in Tbilisi, Mark Bowman is also expected to sign a sovereign loan agreement with the Ministry of Finance of Georgia for the rehabilitation and upgrade of up to 12 metro stations in the capital. 

  Find out more

  Press release