The Messenger, Georgia
messenger.com.ge
Sept 22 2004

Georgia, Azerbaijan tread “path of victory”
BTC anniversary gives Zhvania opportunity to build relations with
Azerbaijan

By Mary Makharashvili

Government officials, corporate executives and oil workers converged
in Baku on Monday to celebrate the signing of the ‘Contract of the
Century’ – the initial agreement that paved the way for oil exports
to the west and the BTC pipeline.

Georgia’s Prime Minister traveled to Baku on the occasion and was
warmly received by President Ilham Aliev.

“A successful Azerbaijan means a successful Georgia. And the welfare
of Georgia means the welfare of Azerbaijan,” stated President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev in an address to Zhvania.

The contract, signed September 20, 1994, provided for the export of
Azeri oil products via Georgia and Turkey to western markets.

Monday also saw the signing of an agreement on beginning the third
phase of the BTC pipeline, as well as the awarding of medals and
money awards to 106 oil workers as part of Azerbaijan’s Oil Workers
Day celebrations.

“We consider this day as our anniversary as well,” Zhvania said at
the ceremony.

Zhvania and Aliev took the opportunity to reaffirm the friendship
between the two countries. Prime News reports Aliev told Zhvania that
relations between the two countries were developing successfully in
all spheres, including the energy sector. He expressed his confidence
that communications between Azerbaijan and Georgia would henceforth
also develop successfully.

The Azeri president also declared that Baku supports Tbilisi in its
fight against “aggressive separatism” and recognizes the territorial
integrity of Georgia.

Zhvania, for his part, as reported by Prime News, conveyed greetings
to Aliev from the president of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, noting
that the friendship between the presidents of the two countries gives
a special pulse to the further development of Azerbaijan-Georgian
relations.

Zhvania noted that the positions of Azerbaijan and Georgia coincide
with regard to problems in the Caucasus and international relations.
He called the political path chosen by Georgia and Azerbaijan “the
path of victory.”

According to Prime News, Prime Minister Zhvania emphasized the
successful results of the oil strategy, which he said were thanks to
the wisdom and foresight of the former president of Azerbaijan Heydar
Aliev, Ilham’s father.

The ceremony was attended by the heads of the largest oil-producing
companies in the world. The president of Azerbaijan also received
letters of congratulation from numerous heads of state, including
U.S. President George Bush and France’s Jacques Chirac.

During the celebration, media reports announced that it is feared
that the construction of the BTC pipeline will not be finished by
next year.

“Yes, there is this fear,” said Zurab Gumberidze, Georgian Ambassador
to Armenia. “The winter might come earlier and because of this we
will have to stop the construction works. But we are doing our best
to do this work within the terms of the agreement. The violation of
the terms might be a very serious problem.”

Aliev expressed his desire for the BTC pipeline to be finished as
soon as possible, as his country’s economic welfare depends on it.
“We have overcome a lot of difficulties since the signing of the
‘Contract of the Century.’ The development of the oil sector is the
key to the Azeri economy. Azerbaijan is expecting USD 50 billion from
this,” said Ilham Aliev.

This money would be used to benefit the entire Azeri people, Aliev
promised. “The money gained from oil will be spent on the welfare of
the Azeri people. Pensions and social aids will be increased. The new
authority of Azerbaijan is continuing the policy of Heydar Aliev,
that will bring a better life to the Azeri people,” he said on
Monday.

“With the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline started, the revenues will
increase allowing us to solve successfully all social and economic
challenges,” he said in his official speech.

The Azeri authorities may soon be receiving the help of Georgian Gia
Chanturia. Reports in the media on Monday suggested the possible
appointment of the former Chair of the Georgian International Oil
Corporation (GIOC) as advisor to the Azerbaijani president on oil
issues, although, as the media reported, Chanturia did not attend the
anniversary himself.