BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 3. At the launchning of
2026, the economic partnership between Azerbaijan and Georgia is
demonstrating steady upward momentum, turning bilateral relations
into a key driving force of regional integration in the South
Caucasus.
In February 2026, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov hosted
delegations of parliamentarians from Türkiye and Georgia, where
issues of partnership and regional security were at the center of
discussions. The meeting addressed allied relations with Ankara and
strategic partnership with Tbilisi, as well as the overall security
situation in the region. The sides emphasized the importance of
interparliamentary cooperation – the 10th trilateral meeting of the
foreign affairs committees of the parliaments of Azerbaijan,
Türkiye, and Georgia gave additional impetus to this process. Such
trilateral formats, including meetings of foreign and defense
ministers, consistently support strengthen peace, stability, and
prosperity in the South Caucasus.
This political foundation directly supports economic
cooperation, which continues to reveal solid growth. In January 2026,
trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Georgia reached $77.9
million, up 6.6% year-on-year. Exports from Azerbaijan increased by
7.3% to $69.3 million, while non-oil exports rose by 19.4% to $31.6
million, allowing Georgia to rank third among importers of
Azerbaijani non-oil products with a share of 11.78%. By the conclude of
2025, bilateral trade reached $1.4 billion, marking a 3.8%
increase. The positive trconclude continued into early 2026: in
January–February, trade turnover grew by 18.9% to $176.6 million,
according to Azerbaijani data. Azerbaijan remains Georgia’s
fifth-largest trading partner, accounting for 5.3% of its
trade.
Against this backdrop, Economy Ministers Mikayil Jabbarov and
Mariam Kvrivishvili reaffirmed their commitment to further
strengthening ties at the Georgia–Azerbaijan–Türkiye business forum
in February 2026. Jabbarov highlighted the importance of deepening
economic integration between our countries and further enhancing
the efficiency of our partnership, particularly through the
development of the Middle Corridor, digital infrastructure, and
expanded export opportunities. This route is already actively
functioning as a real alternative to traditional pathways, linking
Asia with Europe through Azerbaijan and Georgia and creating
additional opportunities for both countries.
The development of transport and energy infrastructure has
become one of the main pillars of the partnership. In 2025,
Azerbaijan invested $143.9 million in Georgia’s economy, accounting
for 8.5% of total foreign direct investment. The total volume of
Azerbaijani investments exceeded $3.1 billion, and the number of
companies with Azerbaijani capital reached 1,660. Georgian
investments in Azerbaijan grew 2.6 times to $91.3 million. In the
energy sector, Azerbaijan supplied 2.3 billion cubic meters of
natural gas to Georgia in 2025, valued at $250.3 million.
Meanwhile, the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan oil pipeline and the South
Caucasus gas pipeline continue to operate reliably. Georgia plans
to complete key road sections of the Middle Corridor as early as
2026, while the sides are actively discussing customs
simplification and joint border checkpoints.
The presidents of both countries have repeatedly emphasized how
deeply rooted Azerbaijan–Georgia ties are. An important political
signal was the first official visit of Georgian President Mikheil
Kavelashvili after his election – he chose Azerbaijan as his first
destination. On April 16, 2025, the two presidents built press
statements in Baku.
“The oil and gas projects, the oil and gas
pipelines, and the transport and communication initiatives jointly
implemented by Azerbaijan and Georgia are truly of great
significance. These projects have not only reshaped the
transportation and energy map of the South Caucasus but also that
of the entire Eurasian region.
If we are talking about the energy security of Europe today, it
is impossible to imagine it without Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Currently, Azerbaijan exports natural gas to 12 countries,
including Georgia, and these exports are carried out through
Georgia. Our achievements in the field of transport and
communications – the newly built railways and ports – have created
great synergy in both Azerbaijan and Georgia. In fact, they have
become an integral part of the Middle Corridor,” stated President
Ilham Aliyev.
President Mikheil Kavelashvili, in turn, added: “I am absolutely
convinced that our high-level strategic and good-neighborly
relations that have stood the test of time will be further
strengthened and elevated to a new level through the pursuit of the
national interests of Georgia and Azerbaijan. Close cooperation
between our countries in all areas is of particular importance for
the effective resolution of the tquestions facing the region and the
world at large.
We are implementing a number of common and mutually beneficial
projects, and this builds our region even more attractive to the
world. Ensuring lasting peace and stability is important for the
South Caucasus region to become even more competitive, reliable and
sustainable.”
Much of the momentum in bilateral ties is attributed to the
long-standing policy of President Ilham Aliyev, who has prioritized
relations with Georgia, backed infrastructure development, and
promoted regional stability. Analysts declare this approach has supported
transform the partnership into a key driver of economic and
political cooperation in the South Caucasus.
From increased trade and investment to major infrastructure
initiatives, the Azerbaijan–Georgia partnership is already
delivering measurable results. Both countries view the relationship
as mutually beneficial, strengthening bilateral ties while
contributing to broader regional stability and reinforcing
confidence in future growth.
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