Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received Georgia’s newly appointed ambassador, George Zakarashvili, in Baku on 16 October, as the diplomat presented his credentials. The meeting focused on bilateral political relations and cooperation in trade, energy security, transport and communications, with both sides highlighting the importance of ongoing joint projects.

Aliyev recalled his state visit to Georgia in April 2026 and expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended to him. Azerbaijani President framed relations between the two countries as developing successfully, emphasising their strategic partnership and longstanding ties between their peoples. Zakarashvili, in turn, reaffirmed the importance of the partnership and pledged to work towards expanding bilateral cooperation during his tenure. The marked the start of his diplomatic mission in Baku. The talks on joint energy and transport projects, which both sides described as significant at regional and global levels. Cooperation in these sectors underpins the countries’ roles in regional connectivity, alongside economic and trade relations.

Before Zakarashvili's appointment, he met Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on 6 October to discuss bilateral ties, energy security, transport and communications, as well as defence and security cooperation.