Upon completion of the expanded meeting President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Georgia Mikhel Saakashvili made statements for press, SIA reports quoting the official website for the President of Azerbaijan.
The statement of President Ilham Aliyev:
"Dear Mr.President, dear guests!
Once again, I sincerely welcome you to Azerbaijan, welcome to Azerbaijan. Your visit is very important. You are a great friend of Azerbaijan. During the last 9 years we have repeatedly met with you -both in Georgia and Azerbaijan, and in other countries. Today's meeting and your official visit are the logical continuation of the previous meetings.
During these years, the Georgian-Azerbaijani relations have passed a long and successful way. These links are built on very solid foundations. Our peoples have been together, supporting each other for centuries, and we are building modern relationship on a solid historical foundation. Since independence, Georgia and Azerbaijan have reached the level of strategic allies. Today, these ally relations are being developed and strengthened.
I am confident that in the coming years, the development of these relations will be a factor of very great importance for Georgia and Azerbaijan. Since our successful development is possible only when we are together. A lot has been done in recent years to strengthen the unity and cooperation. We have had an exchange of views with you about this.
Various projects are being implemented. Projects in the energy and transport sectors strengthen our countries, serve the welfare of our peoples and at the same time have a positive effect on the regional processes. The joint project have particular importance for the development of stability, peace and cooperation in the region. Today, our country and the region, the European continent are unthinkable without the projects that we are implementing together. Together with you, we have made great efforts to address energy issues, have made great strides. Laying oil and gas pipelines, addressing energy security - all this is possible thanks to our joint efforts.
We have started the implementation of a new major project. I am confident that the TANAP project will open up new opportunities for Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Europe. At the same time, much has been done in addressing transportation issues. I am sure that the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway will be completed successfully and it will be a matter of great importance for both Georgia and Azerbaijan, for the region and for the world.
Our international cooperation is also growing. We always support each other in international organizations. Consultations on foreign policy issues are held on different levels, and it is a very successful initiative that has produced excellent results. They lie in the fact that we always support and protect each other in all international organizations. And it has a very positive impact on the relationship between the countries.
Along with all the other issues, we have considered these issues today once again. We see that Georgia and Azerbaijan are successfully moving forward, as two friendly, fraternal and partner countries. Huge reforms and work have been carried in Georgia under your leadership over the past years. Georgia has made great progress. Political processes proceed in a positive direction, you have also achieved great successes in the implementation of infrastructure projects. Tbilisi is growing more beautiful every day. Batumi is also becoming more beautiful day by day. The photos of the new projects that you have shown me today once again indicate a great work that has been done. Reforms in various areas in Georgia are studied not only in the CIS, but also in other regions, you made special contribution to these works. These reforms have been made by you. Of course, in the future, these reforms will play a role in turning Georgia into a developed country.
Once again I want to say that we have met many times over the past period and always carried a very frank exchange of views. The decisions taken during these meetings have strengthened both Georgia and Azerbaijan. I am confident that this positive trend will continue in the coming years, the two friendly and brotherly countries - Georgia and Azerbaijan, as always, will be together, will develop in the same direction and all the processes, all the issues within the country will be successfully resolved.
Welcome once again, I welcome all the guests. "
The statement of the President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili
"Thank you, Mr. President!
No matter who is at power in Georgia, the friendship of our country and Azerbaijan will continue. One cannot find the country which is closer to Georgia than Azerbaijan. This is not just a statement, not just words. No country has ever done so much for Georgia as Azerbaijan did in the past ten years. We have many partners and friends. However, no country has helped Georgia as much as Azerbaijan. And this is just your credit, Mr.President. I am very pleased that the Prime Minister of Georgia also paid a visit to Azerbaijan and saw firsthand the development here. This also allows us to continue our friendship".