AZERBAIJAN-GEORGIA-TURKEY: an Example of a Successful Regional Cooperation
November 2015 04 AZERBAIJAN-GEORGIA-TURKEY: An Example of a Successful Regional Cooperation Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Caucasus has been a region of conflict and competition on the international political agenda. Through 20 years of struggle for independence, the countries of the South Caucasus have failed to create an area of prosperity that encompasses the whole region. Political differences among these countries have prevented the establishment of regional prosperity through economic cooperation. In this unstable context, political, social, economic, and commercial ties between Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey have led to the creation of an exemplary cooperation mechanism and environment. This paper assesses how and why bilateral relations initiated among Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey in the 1990s have transformed into a trilateral strategic relationship, and through which priority areas this trilateral partnership has been deepened and enhanced. Keywords: Caucasus, Trabzon Declaration, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Cooperation, regional cooperation Mitat Çelikpala and Cavid Veliyev CONTENTS Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 2 Strategic Transformation from Bilateral Relations to Trilateral Cooperation ............................. 3 Trilateral Cooperation between Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan ................................................ 8 The Batumi Summit of Ministers of Foreign Affairs ...................................................................
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