Georgian President: Azerbaijan, Georgia create working group to develop Asia-Europe transport corridor

Azerbaijan and Georgia will create a joint working group to develop transport corridor from Asia to Europe through Georgia and Azerbaijan, the Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said at a joint press conference with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev in Batumi.

The press conference of the presidents of the two countries took place after Ilham Aliyev and Mikheil Saakashvili's private meeting, as well as meeting in an extended format.

"We intend to develop this direction, as the shortest way from Beijing to Europe passes through Georgia and Azerbaijan, we are interested in the development of this transport corridor," Saakashvili said.

He stressed that there is close relationship between Georgia and Azerbaijan's peoples, and therefore there is no problem with the implementation of the projects that are envisaged for the benefit of the two peoples.

The Georgian President emphasized that the meeting with Ilham Aliyev discussed the economic projects to be implemented in cooperation of the two countries and partners.

"We intend to intensify the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, which will also ensure the short way from Europe to Asia and develop new transportation routes that will compete with the existing ones," Saakashvili said.

He said Azerbaijan is gradually becoming a regional center and its international authority grows every year.

"Azerbaijan's authority is growing not only in the region, in Europe, but throughout the world and it is an obvious fact," he stressed.

Saakashvili believes that this is "the result of the right policy pursued by Azerbaijan's current leadership.

"The Azerbaijani authorities have found the right combination of modern technology strategies, youth development and the combination of this with the national interests and traditions, which is very difficult in the modern world," he said.

The Georgian President stressed that he is a witness of these conversions. "All these conversions happen in the recent years before my eyes, all have to reckon with Azerbaijan  now, and all understood the strategic importance of this country. We always knew this, and now the entire world will know it and this is the main thing for Georgia", Saakashvili added.


/Trend/