ArmInfo. Tbilisi is ready to work in the format of the Georgia- Azerbaijan-Armenia trio in order to implement geopolitically important infrastructure projects. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia David Zalkaliani stated, speaking at the Diplomatic Forum in Antalya (Turkey).
On Saturday, Zalkaliani took part in the panel discussion "South Caucasus: New Opportunities for Regional Peace and Cooperation". Together with the Georgian minister, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov presented his vision of the situation in the region.
As the most successful examples of regional cooperation, Zalkaliani pointed a number of projects being implemented by Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey: the Southern Gas Transport Corridor, the Baku-Tbilisi- Kars railway, and so on.
"Today we have a lot of opportunities. The fact that oil and gas pipelines run through Georgian territory is an indicator of pragmatic cooperation. Stability is important for the development of the region," the minister said.
He stated that Azerbaijan and Turkey are Georgia's strategic partners, at the same time attaching importance to historical and friendly relations with Armenia.
"This is a practical demonstration of our practical cooperation. That is why we want to convey this message to all our neighbors and, especially, to our Armenian colleagues. In terms of regional cooperation we are ready to work in the format of Georgia-Azerbaijan-Armenia trio," Zalkaliani said.
He once again stressed that strengthening regional cooperation is an unconditional priority for Georgia. Zalkaliani also noted that it is important to implement specific projects that will contribute to the expansion of economic cooperation, transport links in terms of using the potential of the Caspian and Black Seas. At the same time, the Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia explained that the designated format also implies the involvement of the United States, the European Union, Turkey or other "major players" who are ready to help in the development of the above projects.
"It is impossible to create a stable environment in the region without deepening ties and implementing important projects. And without stability it will be impossible to talk about development and prosperity. So, on our part, we realized that we should work actively, even despite our limited resources. A good example of this is a humanitarian agreement reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan with the assistance of the Prime Minister of Georgia and our American partners, which provided for the release of prisoners of war in exchange for maps of minefields, which also shows that Georgia can do a lot. I think this is a good start to this process ", said the minister, Novosti-Georgia reports.
The diplomatic forum in Antalya is being held on June 18-20 under the patronage of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkey is organizing this conference for the first time. It is intended to become an annual international platform for exchanging views on topical international issues, discussing effective steps of modern diplomacy to respond to global challenges.
This year, the forum is attended by the heads of state and government of ten countries, foreign ministers of more than 40 states, as well as representatives of international structures, high-ranking officials, businessmen, public figures and scientists from different countries.