Pacific Scoreboard: Oct. 11, 2023 Stars and Stripes
Day: October 11, 2023
On October 11, Armenia’s Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan responded to a proposal by Azerbaijan’s President to consider Georgia as a venue for negotiations and for bilateral and trilateral meetings in Tbilisi. Pashinyan expressed concern that Aliev’s suggestion, made while discussions about a meeting in Brussels are underway, could be interpreted as an attempt to undermine the already agreed principles and shift to a different negotiation platform.
The Armenian Prime Minister said in an interview with Armenia’s Public Television: “A meeting was held in Granada and the principles of regulation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan were established on the platform of the European Union, from our point of view and from the point of view of the European Union. And it is clear that when we meet in Brussels, the conversation should be held within the framework of these principles, which I will not say that they correspond only to the interests of the Republic of Armenia. The Republic of Armenia has accepted them and, by the way, Azerbaijan has also accepted them… if Azerbaijan tries to propose another platform, it can be interpreted by us that by changing to another platform Azerbaijan wants to neutralize the already agreed principles.”
Pashinyan further expressed concerns about the possibility of hidden agendas that might lead to the use of force, a new conflict, or heightened tensions. He clarified: “We do not oppose dialogue but are opposed to a course of action that would deviate from the established principles.”
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made this proposal during his one-day surprize visit to Georgia on October 8. At a joint press conference, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili emphasized Georgia’s readiness to make a “humble contribution through mediation or facilitation – establishment of a friendly format in general,” adding: “Our future should be peaceful, stable and we – all three countries of the South Caucasus – should be able to decide on our own about the regional affairs and our development ahead.”
In turn, President Aliyev expressed hope for a political environment in the South Caucasus that would allow for trilateral cooperation involving Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, saying: “If Armenia agrees, we will immediately start, through our respective agencies, bilateral and trilateral meetings here in Georgia.”
Georgian military personnel, along with their Turkish and Azerbaijani counterparts, took part in the trilateral command and post exercise ETERNITY 2023, which was conducted in Baku on a rotational basis, according to a report from the Georgian Ministry of Defense. The exercise also included participation from representatives of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, specifically the Strategic Pipelines Protection Department (SPPD).
According to the Georgian MOD, the exercise was aimed at ensuring security of regional economic projects, including Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.
“The exercise involves coordinating the three countries’ militaries, experience sharing, preparing of a joint action plan as well as implementing it in accordance with NATO planning process,” MOD noted.
The trilateral exercise ETERNITY has been regularly held since 2000.
Also Read:
- 09/10/2023 – President of Azerbaijan Visits Georgia
- 22/08/2023 – “Agile Spirit 2023” Exercise kicks off in Georgia
National Bank of Georgia bleeds managers as staff exodus from financial regulator continues.
Eka Berianidze, the head of the Supervisory Policy Department’s Regulatory Policy Development Division, resigned from her position. Berianidze confirmed her resignation to a business news portal bm.ge. Berianidze has been working on several positions at the NBG since 2016. She was involved in the development of the competition regulatory acts in the financial sector.
On October 10, Tamar Kusikashvili, the head of the Legal Department, also left the NGB. “I confirm (the resignation), but will not make any further comments on it,” – Tamar Kusikashvili said.
Earlier, at the end of September, Gvantsa Tskitishvili, the head of the Human Resources Management Department also resigned.
The exodus of personnel from the financial regulator started shortly after the acting NBG President Natia Turnava introduced the changes in the sanctions’ enforcement rules, according to which the “Georgian citizen can not be subjected to international sanctions unless convicted by a Georgian court.” The amended regulation effectively shielded the former Prosecutor General of Georgia, Otar Parskhaladze, sanctioned by the U.S Treasury Department.
Turnava’s controversial decision led to the prompt resignation of three NBG Vice-Presidents, Papuna Lezhava, Archil Mestvirishvili, and Nikoloz Gagua, followed by the NBG head’s adviser Giorgi Bakradze.
On October 11, Armenia’s Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan responded to a proposal by Azerbaijan’s President to consider Georgia as a venue for negotiations and for bilateral and trilateral meetings in Tbilisi. Pashinyan expressed concern that Aliev’s suggestion, made while discussions about a meeting in Brussels are underway, could be interpreted as an attempt to undermine the already agreed principles and shift to a different negotiation platform.
The Armenian Prime Minister said in an interview with Armenia’s Public Television: “A meeting was held in Granada and the principles of regulation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan were established on the platform of the European Union, from our point of view and from the point of view of the European Union. And it is clear that when we meet in Brussels, the conversation should be held within the framework of these principles, which I will not say that they correspond only to the interests of the Republic of Armenia. The Republic of Armenia has accepted them and, by the way, Azerbaijan has also accepted them… if Azerbaijan tries to propose another platform, it can be interpreted by us that by changing to another platform Azerbaijan wants to neutralize the already agreed principles.”
Pashinyan further expressed concerns about the possibility of hidden agendas that might lead to the use of force, a new conflict, or heightened tensions. He clarified: “We do not oppose dialogue but are opposed to a course of action that would deviate from the established principles.”
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made this proposal during his one-day surprize visit to Georgia on October 8. At a joint press conference, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili emphasized Georgia’s readiness to make a “humble contribution through mediation or facilitation – establishment of a friendly format in general,” adding: “Our future should be peaceful, stable and we – all three countries of the South Caucasus – should be able to decide on our own about the regional affairs and our development ahead.”
In turn, President Aliyev expressed hope for a political environment in the South Caucasus that would allow for trilateral cooperation involving Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, saying: “If Armenia agrees, we will immediately start, through our respective agencies, bilateral and trilateral meetings here in Georgia.”
Georgian military personnel, along with their Turkish and Azerbaijani counterparts, took part in the trilateral command and post exercise ETERNITY 2023, which was conducted in Baku on a rotational basis, according to a report from the Georgian Ministry of Defense. The exercise also included participation from representatives of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, specifically the Strategic Pipelines Protection Department (SPPD).
According to the Georgian MOD, the exercise was aimed at ensuring security of regional economic projects, including Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.
“The exercise involves coordinating the three countries’ militaries, experience sharing, preparing of a joint action plan as well as implementing it in accordance with NATO planning process,” MOD noted.
The trilateral exercise ETERNITY has been regularly held since 2000.
Also Read:
- 09/10/2023 – President of Azerbaijan Visits Georgia
- 22/08/2023 – “Agile Spirit 2023” Exercise kicks off in Georgia