Iran-Georgia-Azerbaijan Republic to Ink Trilateral Accord
November 4, 1998 - 0:0
TEHRAN Iran, Georgia and Azerbaijan Republic are to ink a trilateral accord on anti-drug campaign, said the Georgian Ambassador to Iran, Jamshid Guinashvili. In an interview with the English daily 'Iran News' published Monday, the envoy said The issue of illicit drugs has become very hot in the world and therefore, there is a dire need for more regional cooperation, and added Iran was among the first countries to recognize Georgia after its independence.
Guinashvili said that the two countries enjoy good political ties, and added that the volume of bilateral trade between the two nations is about Dlrs four million. Unfortunately the Islamic Republic is not Georgia's first trading partner, in view of the geographical proximity between the two countries, this is of great concern. It appears that the lack of harmonized economic institutions as well as direct banking links between the two countries are among the most significant factors in this regard, he said.
Touching on the issue of the transfer of oil and gas from Central Asia to Europe and different proposed routes, he said All the countries in the area have either oil and gas resources or are situated in the pathways of their transfer. That is the reason there are several plans proposed for the transfer of gas. In view of the number of players in the projects, it appears to be very difficult to convince everybody, he said, adding There are thirty countries interested in the southern part of the former Soviet Union from Khazakhstan to Armenia. Among these countries, Russia, Iran, China, Turkey and some western countries led by the U.S. are the most important ones, he stressed.
It is for this reason that economic as well as oil and gas issues of this region become an international issue, he said adding, Although the leaders of Khazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey agreed on a route in Ankara on October 29, the core of the matter is that they are also interested in other pathways. For Georgia, the transit route from east to west and north to south, passing through the country is important, Giunashvili said adding that each country tries not to limit itself to one path." Furthermore, for Georgia, the Baku-Ceyhan route is of both political and economic significance, he said.
This path has a role in strengthening stability in the country as well as promoting good-neighborly relations with states which are on the route. Some elements both within and without Georgia opposed the government's agreement over this route. However, the October 19 event led to the October 29 agreement, he said. Referring to the recent incidents in Georgia, the envoy said, My government did not resort to any undemocratic action to either suppress or limit the activities of the opposition; the freedom of the mass media in the country is proof to this claim.
(IRNA)
Guinashvili said that the two countries enjoy good political ties, and added that the volume of bilateral trade between the two nations is about Dlrs four million. Unfortunately the Islamic Republic is not Georgia's first trading partner, in view of the geographical proximity between the two countries, this is of great concern. It appears that the lack of harmonized economic institutions as well as direct banking links between the two countries are among the most significant factors in this regard, he said.
Touching on the issue of the transfer of oil and gas from Central Asia to Europe and different proposed routes, he said All the countries in the area have either oil and gas resources or are situated in the pathways of their transfer. That is the reason there are several plans proposed for the transfer of gas. In view of the number of players in the projects, it appears to be very difficult to convince everybody, he said, adding There are thirty countries interested in the southern part of the former Soviet Union from Khazakhstan to Armenia. Among these countries, Russia, Iran, China, Turkey and some western countries led by the U.S. are the most important ones, he stressed.
It is for this reason that economic as well as oil and gas issues of this region become an international issue, he said adding, Although the leaders of Khazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey agreed on a route in Ankara on October 29, the core of the matter is that they are also interested in other pathways. For Georgia, the transit route from east to west and north to south, passing through the country is important, Giunashvili said adding that each country tries not to limit itself to one path." Furthermore, for Georgia, the Baku-Ceyhan route is of both political and economic significance, he said.
This path has a role in strengthening stability in the country as well as promoting good-neighborly relations with states which are on the route. Some elements both within and without Georgia opposed the government's agreement over this route. However, the October 19 event led to the October 29 agreement, he said. Referring to the recent incidents in Georgia, the envoy said, My government did not resort to any undemocratic action to either suppress or limit the activities of the opposition; the freedom of the mass media in the country is proof to this claim.
(IRNA)