BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Azerbaijan is the
largest investor in Georgia, with investments totaling nearly $4
billion, Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov said at the 11th
meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic
Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Georgia.


According to the prime minister, trade and economic cooperation
between the two countries is developing with positive momentum and
is consistently expanding.


"Georgia is one of Azerbaijan's key trade partners. Over the
first nine months of this year, our trade turnover increased by
42%, surpassing the total figure for the previous year and
approaching $1 billion (Azerbaijani statistics: $888 million;
Georgian statistics: $1.1 billion). Our cooperation in the
investment sector is showing strong momentum.


The mega-energy projects we have implemented jointly (BTC, the
Southern Gas Corridor) play a vital role today in ensuring energy
security for the region and Europe, as well as in diversifying
energy supply routes. Currently, Azerbaijani gas is exported to 16
countries. Our cooperation in the electricity sector is also
developing successfully," he noted.


Asadov recalled that following a major incident in Georgia's
energy system in July, Azerbaijan provided prompt support in
response to a request from the Georgian side.







"Specifically, power exchange between the electricity systems
was significantly increased and continues at this level. As a
successful outcome of our cooperation in the field of green energy,
our countries have now begun establishing a green energy corridor
to Europe. This project will also serve as a crucial factor for
Europe's energy security," he remarked.


According to the prime minister, the transport and transit
sector is one of the most important areas of cooperation between
the two countries.


"Our countries continue their joint efforts toward the
development of the Middle Corridor. The operation of the
Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, a vital component of the Middle
Corridor, at its full potential, along with the increase in its
cargo handling capacity to 5 million tons, stands as a clear
example of our successful collaboration," Asadov added.