Georgian political expert Giorgi Khaindrava has said that Azerbaijan and Georgia are “seriously thinking about their future,” highlighting the importance of regional cooperation and urban development during the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku.
Speaking in an interview with AZERTAC, Khaindrava underlined the significance of hosting the international forum in Azerbaijan’s capital, describing it as an event of regional and global importance.
“The organization of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku at a high level is of great importance not only for Azerbaijan but for the entire region. On this occasion, I congratulate my Azerbaijani brothers,” he said.
“The holding of such an important international forum in Baku shows that the significance of the region in the world is steadily growing. The results achieved in Azerbaijan in the field of urbanization, the speech of President Ilham Aliyev at the forum, as well as the views expressed by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, show that both Azerbaijan and Georgia are seriously thinking about their future, the development of cities, and the balanced building of relations between urban and rural areas. In this regard, Azerbaijan-Georgia cooperation is also exemplary. This major international event held in Baku has once again demonstrated that systematic work is being carried out in both countries in the direction of urbanization, infrastructure, and future development,” he stressed.
Khaindrava also pointed to historical shortcomings in urban policy during the Soviet era, contrasting them with current progress in both countries.
“We saw the consequences of insufficient attention to these issues during the Soviet period. Now, on the contrary, we observe the positive results of correct urbanization policies,” he said.
He added: “I have known Baku for 65 years. The current state of Azerbaijan’s capital shows that great importance is attached in the country to urban planning and modern development.”
By Vafa Guliyeva
