Adjara government chief holds talks with Azerbaijani diplomats on trade and tourism cooperation

The head of the Adjara government, Zurab Pataradze, has met Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Georgia, Faig Guliyev, and the Azerbaijani consul general in Batumi, Fuad Azizov, to discuss bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

According to the Adjara government’s press service, the meeting focused on prospects for deepening political, economic and tourism ties between Georgia and Azerbaijan.

Pataradze said it was symbolic that his first diplomatic meeting in his new role had been held with Azerbaijani representatives, following his previous service as Georgia’s ambassador to Azerbaijan.

Speaking after the meeting, Pataradze said trade and political relations between the two countries were continuing to develop actively, noting that bilateral trade turnover had reached $1.3bn last year.

He also highlighted tourism and transport links between the two countries, saying flights on the Baku-Batumi route currently operate twice weekly and are expected to become daily from June.

Pataradze added the regional government was working to ensure year-round travel remains convenient for citizens and businesses.

The sides also discussed support for business forums, investment opportunities and initiatives aimed at increasing trade turnover and strengthening economic cooperation.

During the meeting, Pataradze presented Adjara’s tourism potential across all four seasons and said the region was ready to host bilateral business forums and large-scale events to deepen commercial ties and establish new partnerships.