Azerbaijani, Georgian PMs discuss bilateral cooperation in oil and gas sector, transport, agriculture, investments
BAKU. Jan 17 (Interfax) - Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov and his Georgian counterpart Irakli Kobakhidze discussed broader cooperation in the oil and gas sector, investments, transport and agriculture at the tenth meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation in Baku on Friday.
Asadov described the development of relations with Georgia as a priority of the Azerbaijani foreign policy, the Azerbaijani government's press service said.
Azerbaijan and Georgia maintain active political dialogue, develop trade and economic relations, and increase investments, Asadov said. He added that bigger investments were on the current agenda.
The sides noted the importance of oil and gas cooperation and discussed projects implemented by the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) in Georgia and future projects in that context. "On the whole, joint projects aim to transform the South Caucasus and have changed the energy and transport map of the region," the press service said.
Additionally, the prime ministers discussed cooperation in transportation and transit, the press service said. "In that connection, Asadov noted the importance of joint efforts towards reaching the full capacity of freight transportation by the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway [5 million tonnes a year]. The prime minister also pointed out the active policy of Azerbaijan aimed to increase cargo transshipment through the Baku international commercial seaport from 15 million to 25 million tonnes a year," it said.
The meeting addressed cooperation in agriculture and processing of agricultural products.
The sides signed a protocol of the Intergovernmental Commission meeting, memoranda of mutual understanding on cooperation in marine transport and consular affairs, and a statement of intent between the Azerbaijani Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry and the Georgian Environmental Protection and Agriculture Ministry.
