Local Azerbaijanis play an important role in the ongoing socio-political processes in Georgia, a Georgian political scientist, and a professor at Sukhumi State University Zurab Papaskiri said in an interview with Report.
“As sovereign citizens of Georgia, Azerbaijanis have sacrificed their lives in the struggle for our country's sovereignty, independence and freedom,” Papaskiri said.
He emphasized that Azerbaijanis also play a bridging role in strengthening relations with Baku: "Today it is impossible to imagine Georgia without Azerbaijanis."
The political scientist said that some people are thinking about a change of government in Georgia:
"Against the background of any changes, one of the issues that interest people is how Georgia's relations with neighboring countries will be if there is a change of government."
"However, regardless of who comes to power in Georgia, relations with neighboring countries, especially Azerbaijan, will not change," he noted.
Papaskiri said that Georgia-Azerbaijan friendly relations have an ancient history: "Today, relations between the two countries have risen to the level of strategic partnership. Regardless of political position, whoever comes to power in Georgia cannot harm these relations. The Georgian people will not allow it."
"Azerbaijan is our close neighbor, our strategic partner. Relations between our peoples have risen to the level of fraternal relations. No one can break this," the professor emphasized.