The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) main export oil pipeline assumes great importance for the region, the Georgian President Mikhael Saakasvili stated to the opening ceremony of the BTC in the Ceyhan terminal of Turkey on 13 July, Trend special correspondent in Turkey reports.
The project enabled to upgrade not only the relationships between the countries, but also draw attention of big international companies to the region, Saakashvili noted the oil pipeline will in root improve the living condition of the nation, as well as change the living standards, in particular, in the sphere of environment.
The President underlined the importance of the factor of durability of the BTC, underlining the former Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyevs contribution in it. Georgia is an important partner of the East, including Turkey, the head of state emphasized, adding the implementation of some joint projects, especially, the reconstruction of the airport in Batumi.
Saakashvili expressed his satisfaction with high economic development of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan, like Georgia, had definite problem after the collapse of the USSR, they have been left in the past. We regard the implementation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars project as a new step in the development of the Azerbaijani-Georgian relationships, Saakashvili stressed.
The project will give impetus to economic development of the Akhalkalaki region and attract many investments in the Georgian economy, Georgian President underlined.