Azerbaijan-Georgia relations and the geopolitical importance of the South Caucasus were discussed on “Imedis Kvira” (“Imedi Week”), a weekly socio-political program broadcast on Georgia’s Imedi TV channel. Political analyst Ahmad Shahidov, who was the guest of the program, spoke about the strategic importance of Baku-Tbilisi cooperation for regional energy security, transportation connectivity, and Europe.
Ahmad Shahidov stated that Azerbaijan and Georgia have built one of the most stable and pragmatic partnership models in the South Caucasus in recent years: “Projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the South Caucasus gas pipeline, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway have changed the economic and geopolitical landscape of the region. Today, Azerbaijani gas reaches European markets through Georgia, and Georgia has become a strategic transit partner for Europe’s energy security.” The political analyst also noted that the growing importance of the Middle Corridor makes Azerbaijan-Georgia cooperation even more significant.
In his interview, Ahmad Shahidov also touched upon the contradictions in the European Union’s approach toward the region. He stated that while Brussels needs Azerbaijan and Georgia in terms of energy security and transportation routes, some European circles continue to demonstrate selective approaches and double standards toward the countries of the region: “Azerbaijan and Georgia are not merely energy suppliers or transit countries. They are sovereign states pursuing independent policies in a highly sensitive geopolitical environment. Today, Europe is increasingly realizing that Azerbaijan and Georgia are becoming indispensable partners for regional connectivity and energy security.”
