A number of specialists have been talking more and more about the need to deepen the economic ties of the South Caucasus countries. They see a real opportunity to deepen relations between the countries of the region and turn Tbilisi into a platform for dialogue on economic issues. The talks concern the common economic zone of the South Caucasus, where Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia will be able to trade without customs duties and receive financial benefits. Economist Demur Giorkhelidze told report.ge, that the governments of these countries will have to make wise choices, cooperate, and make the right economic decisions, strengthening the region's geopolitical role.
"The three states' political and economic potential in the South Caucasus - Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia - has great potential but is not used today. This is a single geopolitical space where all the major events of world politics may take place; 30-40 years is enough for that. We are at the epicenter of this global policy. In order to maintain and develop statehood, if we refuse to be in a confrontational mode, everything will work out for us. We have historically established relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia. We do not pose a problem of identity to each other. I am deeply convinced that no European tolerance can be compared to Tbilisi because we have an example of large religious communities living peacefully in a small area, and nothing threatens us if we do not artificially aggravate the situation," says Giorkhelidze and adds that the economy plays a significant role in deepening this relationship. Through the right policy, it is possible to obtain tripartite benefits, which determines the sustainability of the countries in the region.
"We must use the economy as an enhancer of benefits and relationships. Otherwise, we will not be able to have mutual benefit and profitability. Politics cannot be built by excluding this factor as well. Thus, the Heads of State and Government must agree on deepening free economic ties in order to remove customs barriers in trade relations. Against this tense background, which is in the world, we can build a peaceful platform and stand in the way of great development. There may be a financial harbor here to attract big finances and strive for further development," Demur Giorkhelidze told report.ge.
The economist is convinced that this idea is understood in Azerbaijan and Armenia, but they are also aware of the obstacles that globalization creates.
"The countries of the region have the same argument: whether the big states will give us freedom. However, first of all, these three states must agree on things, have unity and emphasize that we want a peaceful South Caucasus, economically developed and politically stable, in a state of dialogue. Unfortunately, we do not have close relationships. The economic determinant of these considerations is the basis on which mutually beneficial connections are made. It's not just about getting benefits; it is about sorting out relationships with each other. Even when Armenia and Azerbaijan have recently gone through a very serious war, a few days ago, at an international conference, prominent representatives of Azerbaijan and Armenia talked about cooperation and the future, the normalization of relations, which gives us hope that we will achieve unity and economic strengthening if we want to," the economist told report.ge.
The Georgian government is also talking about strengthening the union of the South Caucasus countries. Foreign Minister Davit Zalkaliani said a few days ago that Tbilisi is ready to play the role of mediator and promote strong cooperation between the countries of the region, which will create an entirely new geopolitical picture in the future. The leaders of the countries will probably say if they are ready to start a new phase of cooperation.
A similar proposal was made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia during a face-to-face meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.
