The state visit of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, to Georgia yesterday was remembered as an important event not only for the two countries, but for the South Caucasus as a whole. At first glance, the visit to Tbilisi could be described as largely symbolic; however, its substance conveys far more.

Yes, diplomacy and formal protocol have their place, but the economic interdependence between the two states reveals an entirely different set of dynamics. It was a calculated move to reinforce one of Eurasia’s most consequential economic partnerships at a time when global trade routes, energy security and geopolitical alignments are all in flux.

The Azerbaijan–Georgia relationship has long been defined by pragmatism. Today, it is increasingly defined by necessity.

At the centre of this partnership lies energy. Georgia’s geographic position has turned it into a vital transit state for Azerbaijani hydrocarbons bound for European markets. The Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline and the Southern Gas Corridor appear to be more than infrastructure projects. Indeed, they are strategic lifelines that underpin Europe’s efforts to diversify energy supplies away from traditional sources.

In this context, President Aliyev’s visit can be read as a reaffirmation of reliability. For Baku, ensuring........

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