Georgia PM calls Azerbaijan "special friend", signals progress on gas, transit talks

Georgia regards Azerbaijan as a “special friend” and expects to reach agreements on transit and gas purchases, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said in an interview broadcast on public television.

Kobakhidze stated that he held a “very friendly” meeting with Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov in Turkmenistan and described the ties between the two governments as exceptionally close, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

“Azerbaijan is our special friend. Relations between our governments are uniquely friendly, so we will have no difficulty finding common ground on any issue,” he said.

The Georgian leader said talks focus on finalising transit arrangements for supplies from Azerbaijan through Georgian territory, adding that Tbilisi aims to balance the interests of Azerbaijan and Armenia alongside its own.

“I believe that, based on the outcome of the negotiations, we will easily find the best solution that serves the interests of all three countries,” Kobakhidze said.

Separately, Kobakhidze stated that Georgia hopes to reach an agreement with Azerbaijan on gas purchases, noting that negotiations are underway on a range of issues.

“We have extremely good relations, which gives grounds for optimism. We hope an agreement beneficial to both sides will be reached,” he said.

The current gas supply agreement between Azerbaijan and Georgia under the Southern Gas Corridor expires at the end of 2026. Under the deal, Georgia receives a set volume of Azerbaijani gas at preferential prices in exchange for its transit to Turkey and Europe.