Aliyev’s ‘rapid visit’ may be linked to regional security challenges – opposition leader Tsereteli

The recent “rapid visit” of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Georgia could be connected with the regional challenges on the background of Russia-Ukraine conflict and the new agenda pushed forward by the war, Gigi Tsereteli, a chairman of the political council of the European Georgia opposition party told Front News on Tuesday. 

The politician stressed that the Azerbaijani top official was likely to deliver “very important messages” to the Georgian authorities. 

“Also, of course, energy corridors and a new perspective of relations with Europe could be discussed. These are all very serious topics. In times of peace and tension, cargo turnover is crucial. In addition, there are several main topics that had encouraged Aliyev to pay the visit – I am sure he had conveyed very important messages to the Georgian government”, Tsereteli said and noted that “what kind of partner the Georgian government can be and what it will do is another matter”. 

“We should not have high expectations here, be it in the region or in relations with Europe, in terms of implementing recommendations [for the EU membership candidate status] or carrying out reforms,” ​​said Tsereteli.

The opposition leader stated that “significant changes are taking place in the regional agenda”. 

“Today, very dynamic processes are developing in the world and in our region, of course, this is connected with Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Accordingly, during such cataclysms, adjustments are made in the regional agenda. Apart from that, the Azerbaijan-Armenia confrontation is not over. The issue of the energy corridor is very important. The topic of cargo turnover was mentioned at the meeting, as it is known, there are still problems in the Georgian part of the Karsi-Akhalkalaki project which delays the increase in the trade turnover, as well as other issues”, Tsereteli suggested. 

He said that If Russia was given the opportunity to continue aggression against Ukraine, that would escalate the situation even further in the region. 

“Therefore it is important to discuss tactical issues and President Aliyev was likely to deliver some messages to the Georgian authorities”

“It was also repeatedly said that Aliyev voiced an important initiative in Prague summit earlier this year, and this could be one of the questions, in reference to the formation of the regional agenda on the background of the current conflict – If there is an escalation, what kind of coordination is needed in the region. We should not forget that many big players are interested in our region”, said Tsereteli.