AZERBAIJANI FM VISITS GEORGIA
Tbilisi, 2 April (AZERTAC). On April 1-2, Azerbaijan`s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov was in Georgia for an official visit which saw him hold talks with the country`s leadership.
During his meeting with President Mikheil Saakashvili, Mammadyarov described the two countries` bilateral relations as successfully developing. The minister gave the Georgian President detailed information about ongoing peace talks over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and thanked the Georgian government for supporting Azerbaijan on the international arena.
Saakashvili praised the current level of the Azerbaijan-Georgia relations. He said Azerbaijan had always rendered assistance to his country during its difficult times, describing the fact as “an example of brotherhood”.
Mammadyarov`s meeting with Prime Minister Nika Gilauri focused on a variety of issues, including regional security, maintenance of mutual investment, energy and transport. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project was also touched upon, and the Georgian Premier said a tender will soon be announced to start the second stage of the project.
Mammadyarov also met his counterpart Grigol Vashadze to exchange views on several issues, including current level of the bilateral ties, joint energy and transport projects, cooperation within international and regional organizations, GUAM`s work and EU`s Eastern Partnership program. The two ministers discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and Mammadyarov thanked the Georgian government for “always supporting Azerbaijan`s fair stance and its efforts to restore its territorial integrity.” Vashadze said his country “unambiguously recognizes Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity and will further support its position on international arena”. The Georgian minister informed his Azeri counterpart about recent developments in South Osetia and Abkhazia. Mammadyarov said “Azerbaijan recognizes and supports Georgia`s territorial integrity as well”. The two ministers also discussed preparatory issues concerning visits by President Mikheil Saakashvili and Premier Nika Gilauri to Azerbaijan. Mammadyarov and Vashadze also signed a 2009 plan of action to conduct consultations between the foreign ministries of Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Following the meeting, the ministers held a press conference for journalists.
On the visit`s second day, Mammadyarov visited martyrs` memorial and the Heydar Aliyev Park in Tbilisi.
The minister also visited Georgia`s Marneuli region, whose population is mostly composed of Azerbaijanis, to discuss their problems. Marneuli residents praised Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev`s support and attention towards tackling their problems.
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