Georgia’s Tbilisi Silk Road Forum hails Azerbaijan’s role in region

The fourth Silk Road Forum is being held in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi.

About 2,000 delegates, including officials and representatives of the foreign private sector from about 60 countries, are participating in the event, according to Report.

A documentary film about such projects as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, which are being implemented by Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye, as well as an important project of laying an electric cable along the bottom of the Black Sea was demonstrated at the beginning of the forum.

The main goal of the forum, held under the patronage of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, is to create a platform for participants of the Silk Road initiative, representatives of international organisations and the private sector to discuss prospects for intensifying cooperation, international and regional trade relations.

The event is intended to become one of the best opportunities to strengthen trade, economic, political and cultural relations among European and Asian countries.

A big delegation led by Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov took part in the forum. The prime ministers of Montenegro and Armenia also attended the event.

Garibashvili delivered a speech about the recent development of the Silk Road initiative, the prospects for the development of large-scale energy, transport and logistics projects and important measures that should be taken in the future, emphasising the importance of peace and stability in the region.

In his speech Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan noted that Armenia is interested in participating in regional transport projects and the necessary steps have been taken for this purpose.

He also shared his opinion on the signing of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan.

In turn, Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov spoke about large-scale projects being implemented by Azerbaijan and Georgia, Azerbaijan’s role in the energy security of Europe and about contribution to international cooperation.

Montenegro’s prime minister also spoke about the importance that Montenegro attaches to the Silk Road and the importance of large-scale energy and transport projects.

Then panel sessions were held as part of the forum.

During a panel discussion dedicated to the Middle Corridor, Azerbaijani Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev spoke about the importance of energy and transport projects.

He said that the Middle Corridor is safer than the Northern Corridor and faster than shipping by sea.

While delivering a speech at the second panel, Director General of Baku International Sea Trade Port Taleh Ziyadov noted that the Baku Sea Port has a strategic location.

He noted that the port’s work is based on high technologies in accordance with the principles of clean ecology.

The forum will run till October 27.

The International Silk Road Forum has been held in Tbilisi every two years, since 2015.