Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev visited Georgia on April 6, in a trip that came a day after critical journalist Afgan Sadigov was deported to Azerbaijan. Aliyev, who arrived together with his wife and the state ministers, met with key Georgian Dream officials, including the party’s founder and Honorary Chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili.
The one-day visit concluded with Ivanishvili, who holds no government position, hosting Aliyev and his delegation at a luncheon at the Business Center in Tbilisi. Several key Georgian Dream officials attended, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili, and Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, as well as Government Administration Head Levan Zhorzholiani, and Georgia’s ambassador to Azerbaijan, Zurab Pataradze. The party also released footage of the meeting on its Facebook page, which contains no audio aside from background music.
Ivanishvili thanked Aliyev for his “fruitful” visit to Georgia and “noted that the friendly relations between Georgia and Azerbaijan are at the highest level, which is beneficial and brings gains for both countries,” Georgian Dream said in a press release.
Ivanishvili “emphasized the importance of deep and comprehensive economic relations between the two countries, the potential to fully utilize the transit corridor, and noted that strong partnership ultimately serves the national interests of both Georgia and Azerbaijan equally,” the press release said.
Ivanishvili further thanked Aliyev for “supporting the calm and stable situation in the South Caucasus region, and noted that in a world full of security challenges, it is vitally important that the leadership of both countries preserve peace and economic development at all costs.”
“During the meeting, the talks focused on the strong partnership in the energy sector and transport-energy projects, which are being jointly implemented by Georgia and Azerbaijan. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway was highlighted for playing a key role in ensuring regional connections. Bidzina Ivanishvili noted that Georgia remains open to Azerbaijani investments, which have continued to grow actively in recent years.”
The press release further added that Aliyev thanked Ivanishvili for “generous hospitality” and noted that “Georgia is one of the most attractive, stable and interesting places for investments.” According to the release, he further focused on “bilateral projects, the importance of the energy corridor and Georgia’s active role in the export of Azerbaijani natural resources,” reaffirming his readiness to “jointly continue efforts to preserve peace and stability in the region.”
Before meeting with Ivanishvili, which concluded his one-day trip to Tbilisi, Aliyev met with Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and GD–elected President Mikheil Kavelashvili.
Visit Background and Other Meetings
Ilham Aliyev arrived at Tbilisi International Airport on the morning of April 6 with his wife, Mehriban Aliyeva, and a delegation. Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili welcomed them at the airport. Aliyev first visited the Heroes Memorial and the Statue of Heydar Aliyev in Tbilisi, laying wreaths at both sites. He then met with Mikheil Kavelashvili and Irakli Kobakhidze.
The visit came a day after Georgia detained and deported Afgan Sadygov, a critical Azerbaijani journalist who actively participated in anti-government protests in Tbilisi, back to Azerbaijan, where he was briefly detained, following earlier reports that he was free in Baku after interrogation.
The visit marked Aliyev’s first official trip to Tbilisi since October 2023, when he met with then-Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. A number of Georgian Dream officials, including PM Irakli Kobakhidze and GD-elected President Mikheil Kavelashvili, have met with Aliyev on several occasions, both in Baku and at other international venues.
Meeting with Mikheil Kavelashvili
An official welcoming ceremony for the Azerbaijani president was held at 11 a.m. at Tbilisi’s Orbeliani Presidential Palace, where Mikheil Kavelashvili received his Azerbaijani counterpart. The national anthems of both countries were played.
The two then held a one-on-one meeting inside the presidential palace.
During the meeting, they discussed “the high-level strategic partnership between the two countries and their successful cooperation across various sectors,” Georgia’s presidential administration said in a press office, adding that Kavelashvili emphasized Georgia’s priority to “maintain” this partnership.
“It was emphasized that against the backdrop of current geopolitical developments, at a time when the international order is undergoing fundamental changes, maintaining stability and peace in the region is becoming increasingly important,” the press release said.
It added that Kavelashvili thanked Aliyev for supporting Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and for expressing condolences on the passing of late Patriarch Ilia II, and that Aliyev signed the official guest book following the meeting.
The Azerbaijani president’s administration said, among other points in its press release, that the sides emphasized “the significance of the joint transport and energy projects implemented by Azerbaijan and Georgia, noting their strategic and economic importance,” and highlighted “the role of the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia in ensuring stability and security in the South Caucasus.”
Meeting with Irakli Kobakhidze
President Aliyev then met with Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze at the government administration.
During the one-on-one meeting, the sides “emphasized the high level of strategic partnership between the two countries and their productive cooperation across various sectors,” the Georgian government said, adding that “particular attention” was paid to “deepening economic ties” and to “the role of the Azerbaijan-Georgia Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation.”
The two leaders also stressed “the importance of peace in the region,” with Kobakhidze noting that Georgia welcomes “ongoing dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which represents an important step toward regional stability and development.” They also discussed the situation in the Middle East, according to the press release, “highlighting the importance of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and restore peace.”
Following the one-on-one meeting, Kobakhidze and Aliyev extended talks with the participation of their respective cabinet members.
“The meeting focused on the growing trade and economic cooperation between the two countries and the importance of fully utilizing the existing potential in this regard,” the Georgian government administration said in a press release.
It added, “The discussion also covered close partnership in the energy sector and major regional transport and energy projects jointly implemented by Georgia and Azerbaijan. Among them, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway was highlighted as playing a key role in ensuring regional connectivity.”
The Georgian side included Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili, Government Administration Head Levan Zhorzholiani, and Georgia’s ambassador to Azerbaijan Zurab Pataradze. The Azerbaijani side included Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev, Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov, Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov, Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev, and Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Georgia Faig Guliyev.
Joint Media Statements
Following the meetings, Kobakhidze and Aliyev delivered statements in their native languages at a joint press briefing.
Kobakhidze began by thanking Aliyev for his visit to Georgia, describing him as a “valued friend” of the country and saying his visit is a “great honor.”
The GD prime minister then hailed the “exceptional historical friendship and good neighborly relations” that he said are “logically reflected in the strategic partnership” between Georgia and Azerbaijan. “We are pleased that this partnership, along with our relations and friendship, continues to develop dynamically in various directions,” Kobakhidze said, thanking Aliyev for his “personal efforts and engagement in this process.”
Kobakhidze then thanked Aliyev for his “firm support” of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, adding that Georgia “has always, is and will remain a strong supporter of Azerbaijan’s national interests, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
“We discussed issues related both to bilateral relations and to the future of the South Caucasus region as a whole,” Kobakhidze said, adding that Georgia welcomes the ongoing peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia and that it will “always stand ready to make a positive contribution to the development of these relations and to support dialogue and the peace process.”
Underscoring the importance of “cooperation” among the South Caucasus countries in creating “new opportunities” for the region, Kobakhidze said, “We are observing global political changes, which further increase the importance of the Middle Corridor, including the strategic significance of the Black Sea and the South Caucasus.”
“Our countries, serving as a bridge between Asia and Europe, play a key role in connectivity. In this context, we attach particular importance to the development and modernization of transport and logistics infrastructure. Georgia and Azerbaijan have repeatedly demonstrated that they are reliable and responsible partners, including in international energy and transport projects.”
He also noted that Azerbaijan remains “one of Georgia’s largest trading partners” and expressed hope for deeper economic relations, including through “enhanced cooperation in increasing investments.”
Aliyev began by saying it is “always a great honor” to visit “brotherly” Georgia.
He praised the Georgian Dream government’s “achievements” and what he called Georgia’s “very impressive economic growth,” saying, “You have created a highly favorable investment environment, offering excellent opportunities for foreign investors, including Azerbaijani investors, to contribute further to this success, which in turn promotes political stability and economic growth. You are a guarantor that the policies of the Government of Georgia will continue to serve the well-being of the Georgian people.”
He also praised “significant success” in economic relations between the two countries, adding, “Today we discussed new opportunities and new investment projects. We may also consider joint investments in third countries.” He also spoke about energy security in the region and investments.
According to Aliyev, the sides also discussed “regional security and the current situation,” saying, “The new reality in the South Caucasus was not overlooked.”
“Countries in this region must remain focused on peace, stability and security, especially at a time when these principles are being challenged in various parts of the world,” Aliyev said, adding, “Our region must remain resilient against such developments. The South Caucasus should continue to be a region of peace, stability and cooperation.”
Also Read:
