
Meeting of the National Security Council of Georgia was held to discuss the renewed armed conflict between the Republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia
3 October 2020
Today, the National Security Council of Georgia held a meeting led by Giorgi Gakharia, the Prime Minister of Georgia to discuss the renewed armed conflict and the current situation in the Republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary of the Council, the Minister of Internal Affairs – Vakhtang Gomelauri and the permanent members of the Council: the Minister of Defence - Irakli Gharibashvili, the Minister of Foreign Affairs – Davit Zalkaliani, the Minister of Finance – Ivane Machavariani, the Head of the State Security Service of Georgia – Grigol Liluashvili, Acting Head of the Georgian Intelligence Service – Shalva Lomidze and the Chief of the Georgian Defence Forces – Giorgi Matiashvili. The President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili was invited on the meeting. As well as the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Natia Turnava attended the meeting.
The statement made by the National Security Council of Georgia:
The meeting discussed the dire situation caused by the conflict which unfortunately, has claimed lives with the further escalation of the situation posed to have a serious negative impact on regional security.
We once again urge the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and international actors to take all necessary measures to stop the violence and resume dialogue.
Georgia enjoys good neighborly relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia. We seek to maintain and further strengthen these relations.
Georgia was always proud of the peaceful coexistence of Georgians and different ethnicities including Azerbaijanis and Armenians; it is our common achievement requiring great care and shared commitment.
Amid the current crisis between Azerbaijan and Armenia, we cannot allow individual destructive forces both in and outside Georgia to cast a shadow over our friendship and historical experience.
In the light of the aforementioned, Georgian side reaffirms its readiness to contribute in defusing tension in any form and if necessary, host the representatives of conflicting sides in Tbilisi aimed at carrying out a dialogue.
For years, the Georgian side has been performing and continues to perform its international obligations with due diligence including in relation to its neighbors, Azerbaijan and Armenia. In particular, Georgia's transit function is an important factor for the economic functioning and development of both countries, surely serving Georgia's interests as well.
Presently, civilian goods and cargo are transited through Georgia safely, without obstacles, in all directions including Azerbaijan and Armenia. The intensity of freight transport is high and it has not changed since the resumption of the armed conflict.
Notably, since the escalation of the conflict, Georgia has not and will not impose any restrictions for the purposes of civilian cargo air transportation.
In addition, due to the ongoing military engagement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the Government of Georgia, since the inception of escalation, temporarily suspended the issuance of permits for transiting military cargo through its territory in the direction of both said countries, be it by air or land. This decision was duly communicated to both sides.
As for all other types of international transit transportation, Georgian side is scrupulously performing its international obligations.
It is in our common interests to stop the armed confrontation and restore peace in the region as soon as possible.