Political relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia are of strategic character, however there are differences in foreign policy. Unlike Azerbaijan, which established a balanced foreign policy after collapse of USSR, Georgia is inclined to political, economic and military integration mostly to the West. Experts say in its regional foreign policy concerning South Caucasus Georgia attaches importance to pragmatic cooperation with Armenia and strategic partnership with Azerbaijan. 

After the South Caucasus states gained independence as a result of the fall of Soviet Union the strong states became much more interested in strengthening their position in this region of huge geostrategic importance. Following this fall, geographic position of Georgia, economic potential, rich resources and growing influence of Azerbaijan, military alliance of Armenia with Russia lifted the strategic significance of this region, a bridge between East and West. Just for this reason, South Caucasus is the most complicated region facing a competition of states.

The biggest threat in South Caucasus for Turkey, Georgia and particularly for Azerbaijan is Armenia. Armenia, which has always wanted to widen its territories on the account of lands of neighbor states and got support of Russia for this purpose, is the culprit of the Armenian-Azerbaijani, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the biggest conflict in the region. Playing a main role in violation of stability in the region on the basis of Russia’s support, Armenia is the obstacle to the union of South Caucasus states, regional peace and security. 

Under such conditions our republic tries to keep balance in foreign policy, however Georgia, preferring relations with the West, pursues a unilateral policy, which results in a serious tension in its relationship with Russia. Left by this policy of Georgia face to face with the danger of loss of its position in Caucasus, Russia uses the potential conflicts here. Taking the maximum neutral position in this affair, our republic protects its relations with the both sides. Azerbaijan’s position in the 5-day war between Russia and Georgia in 2008 and help it provided to Georgia point its balanced policy.

Besides, because of Russia’s pressure in different times on the intention of Azerbaijan and Georgia to carry out an independent domestic and foreign policy, form an administration mechanisms based on democratic principles, also an Armenian separatism in South Caucasus the guaranty of peace and security in the region fell on Azerbaijan and Georgia. 

Thus, changing the firm friendly and neighborhood relations to the strategic partnership the two states support today each other in a number of spheres. The main official point in this partnership is the Trabzon Agreement signed in April 2002 by Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia. Georgia voted for the resolution “On the situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan” at the UN General Assembly on March 14, 2008, which shows its support as a strategic partner to our republic in this problem. 

The change of the power in Georgia in 2014 and election of Giorgi Margvelashvili to the post of the president did not cause any change in the bilateral relations. On the contrary, the new leader assumed the mission to develop the friendly neighborhood principles in relations with Azerbaijan. The visit the Georgian President paid to Azerbaijan following the elections proved it. During his official visit to Azerbaijan on February 12, 2014 G.Margvelashvili said Azerbaijan is very important to Georgia not for huge projects, oil and gas only but also for cooperation in the sphere of transport, culture, science and relations of citizens.  

Azerbaijan Realities