Azerbaijan and Georgia today represent one of the most resilient and forward-looking partnerships in the post-Soviet space. Their decades-long cooperation, rooted in energy and transport projects, has not only strengthened bilateral ties but also transformed the South Caucasus into a crucial corridor for international trade and energy transit. As Europe faces growing energy challenges, the role of Baku and Tbilisi has become ever more critical — a fact that was once again underlined during the official visit of Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili to Azerbaijan on April 15–16.
Joint oil and gas pipelines crisscrossing both countries, coupled with Georgian ports handling vast volumes of Azerbaijani oil and petrochemicals, have created an integrated energy network reaching the Black Sea and beyond. In addition, Azerbaijan and Georgia are intensifying their electricity export initiatives, particularly towards Turkey and Southern Europe, further expanding their strategic importance.
Speaking after bilateral talks, President Ilham Aliyev stressed that the transport and energy infrastructure jointly developed by Azerbaijan and Georgia has profoundly reshaped the regional landscape. “Europe’s energy security is closely linked to our cooperation,” Aliyev noted, highlighting that Azerbaijani gas today reaches 12 countries via Georgia’s territory. Meanwhile, Azerbaijani investments in Georgia continue to grow, with over 650 Azerbaijani enterprises operating there and total investments surpassing $3.6 billion, a major share of which stems from SOCAR Energy Georgia.
Gas trade between the two countries remains vital: around 80% of Georgia’s gas needs are covered by supplies from Azerbaijan. This relationship is poised to deepen, following SOCAR’s acquisition of western Georgia’s gas pipeline network. Overall, Azerbaijan’s gas exports reached a record 25.2 bcm last year, up 5.8% from 2023.
Azerbaijan’s prominence in Europe’s energy sector was reaffirmed during the April 4 meetings of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council and the Green Energy Advisory Council in Baku. EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen praised the growing Azerbaijani gas imports, noting a 44% increase compared to 2021, and emphasized the importance of continuing the EU-Azerbaijan Strategic Energy Partnership.
Parallel to fossil fuels, Baku and Tbilisi are betting heavily on renewable energy. With the launch of the Black Sea Energy submarine cable project — agreed upon with Romania and Hungary in December 2022 — they are creating a new electricity corridor to Europe. The cable, set to stretch nearly 1,200 km under the Black Sea, will enable the annual delivery of up to 4 GW of green energy.
Azerbaijan, rapidly developing its renewable energy sector, expects to bring online about 2 GW of green generation by 2027, backed by $2.7 billion in new investments. Long-term projections indicate that up to 80% of this capacity will be directed toward exports, solidifying the South Caucasus as a green energy bridge to Europe. Georgia, meanwhile, draws about 90% of its electricity from hydropower and is preparing to export surpluses, reinforcing its position alongside Azerbaijan as a future green energy hub.
The strengthening of political ties comes at a particularly sensitive moment for Georgia, as Western perceptions of its domestic politics have become increasingly polarized. Former President Salome Zurabishvili, a former French diplomat deeply connected to President Emmanuel Macron, has remained active on the European stage despite losing political backing at home. Her recent participation in pro-democracy rallies in France and calls for European intervention against the current Georgian government reflect broader tensions between Tbilisi and parts of the EU establishment.
Baku, closely following these developments, has reiterated its support for Georgia’s sovereignty and non-interference in its internal affairs. President Aliyev, speaking at the “Toward a New World Order” forum, warned against the European Commission’s neo-colonial tendencies in dealing with post-Soviet states and emphasized that decisions regarding Georgia must remain with the Georgian people.
Against this backdrop, the official meetings between Kavelashvili and Azerbaijani leaders reflected a shared commitment to deeper regional integration. In talks with Prime Minister Ali Asadov, the focus was placed on accelerating strategic projects in energy and transport and maintaining regional stability. Kavelashvili expressed gratitude for Azerbaijan’s steadfast support of Georgia’s territorial integrity and independence.
The dialogue continued during the presidential summit, where both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus. They emphasized the importance of concluding a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan and rejected any attempts by external forces to impose alien political models on the region. President Kavelashvili underlined that both nations are fully capable of safeguarding their stability and sovereignty without outside interference.
President Aliyev echoed these sentiments, making clear that Azerbaijan rejects any effort to create artificial divisions in the South Caucasus. According to him, the success of joint Azerbaijani-Georgian projects — from pipelines to green energy corridors — is a testament to the potential of regional collaboration based on mutual trust and common interests.
Ultimately, Azerbaijan and Georgia today not only act as pillars of regional stability but also as vital links in Europe’s energy future. As the geopolitical environment evolves, it will be up to external actors to recognize and respect the emerging realities shaped by Baku and Tbilisi — realities driven by partnership, sovereignty, and a shared vision for the South Caucasus.
