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Georgia Cooperation in the South Caucasus

Georgia emphasizes the importance of cooperation in its neighborhood and takes political and economic steps to facilitate the transformation of the South Caucasus into an economically attractive, peaceful, and safe region. Georgia traditionally has enjoyed good neighborly relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia. Georgia believes that the establishment of a common approach to the region’s future development is extremely important. Deepening regional cooperation and developing a common economic space and market would promote the stability and well-being of the region. The potential of Georgia as a Black Sea littoral state is a supporting factor for the development of multilateral cooperation.

Despite existing obstacles, there is potential for cooperation among the three South Caucasus countries in areas such as joint efforts against international terrorism, organized crime, and drug trafficking, as well as in developing joint measures to improve the environmental situation. From a long-term perspective, deepening the relationship in these ways will foster trilateral economic cooperation and political dialogue.

The unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is undermining the stability of the countries in the region. Georgia would welcome a peaceful resolution to this conflict, based on the principles of international law and greater involvement of the international community in the peace process. Georgia strives to deepen partner relationships and expand trade with Azerbaijan and Armenia. The implementation of major economic projects in the region not only has economic value, but is also important in terms of strengthening security through trust-building, better cooperation, and the establishment of long-term business partnerships.

Georgia’s relationship with Azerbaijan has developed into a strategic partnership. Joint energy, transport, and communications projects significantly contribute to the stability and well-being of both nations. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway project is noteworthy since it will increase the transit role of Georgia and Azerbaijan, connecting them fully to international railway networks. This railway line will support the further deepening of economic ties between east and west and will move Georgia closer to the European economic space. It is important to maintain the competitiveness of this transit corridor through cooperation with Azerbaijan.

The three most important regional energy projects - the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Supsa oil pipelines, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline—not only are economically important, but they also increase stability in the region. Likewise, the realization of projects such as Nabucco, the Eurasian Oil Transportation Corridor, White Stream, and AGRI (Azerbaijan-Georgia- Romania-Interconnector Project)—involving the resources of Azerbaijan and Central Asia and making full use of the Georgia-Azerbaijan transit corridor—will strengthen regional security. This is in the interests of Georgia and Azerbaijan, as well as of other states.

Georgia also closely cooperates with Azerbaijan on political and security issues, as well as on Euro-Atlantic integration. Partnership between Georgia and Azerbaijan is also important in the framework of GUAM (Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Moldova). The participation of Azerbaijan in the European Union’s Eastern Partnership and in the NATO Partnership for Peace program contributes to the harmonization of security interests and the development of common approaches to various strategic issues.

Georgia enjoys close cooperation with Armenia in all areas of mutual interest. Georgia believes that the deepening of good neighborly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with Armenia is in line with the national interests of both countries and strengthens the traditional friendship between them, while also fostering economic prosperity and political stability. Georgia aspires to strengthen trade, economic, and transportation ties with Armenia. Cooperation in trade, transport infrastructure, tourism, and other fields will support the economic development of Georgia and Armenia.

Georgia supports Armenia’s active participation in the European Union Eastern Partnership and welcomes Armenia’s more active cooperation with NATO. Georgia welcomes all efforts to normalize Turkish-Armenian relations and to establish good neighborly ties between them.