Georgian PM highlights transit talks, regional balance

PanARMENIAN.Net - Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, addressing the issue of transit from Azerbaijan through Georgian territory, emphasized that while Tbilisi respects the interests of both Baku and Yerevan, Georgia also has its own national interests. His remarks were reported by Media.az .

“We care about both the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides’ interests. But we also have our own interests. I believe, based on the results of negotiations, we’ll easily find the best solution that serves all three countries,” Kobakhidze said.

He added that the main topic during his recent talks in Turkmenistan with Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov was the finalization of transit agreements for transporting goods from Azerbaijan through Georgia.

Kobakhidze stressed that Azerbaijan is a special partner for Georgia.

“We have formed exclusively friendly relations between our governments, so it won’t be difficult for us to find common ground on any issue,” he noted.

Previously, Georgia’s Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development stated that it would not charge tariffs on the initial transit of Azerbaijani oil products to Armenia. This followed Azerbaijani media reports claiming Georgia had demanded $92 per ton for the potential transit of oil from Azerbaijan to Armenia.

At an international forum in Doha, Azerbaijani presidential advisor Hikmet Hajiyev stated that Yerevan and Baku are discussing the export of Azerbaijani oil and oil products to Armenia, a topic reportedly addressed during talks in Gabala. He called the discussions “unprecedented,” without giving further details.