Monday, 5 September 2016
Armenian, Georgian Prime Ministers Discuss Bilateral Cooperation Development Prospects
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan received a delegation led by Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili who is paying an official visit to Armenia.
Pleased with the current status of bilateral political and economic relations, Hovik Abrahamyan and Giorgi Kvirikashvili looked at the prospects for their development. Hovik Abrahamyan and Giorgi Kvirikashvili stressed the positive dynamics of trade turnover between the two countries and discussed issues on expansion of economic cooperation.
The Premiers’ private talks were followed by a meeting of the official delegations of the two countries. Welcoming the Georgian Prime Minister’s delegation, Hovik Abrahamyan noted, “In recent years, active cooperation is being developed between our two countries, with significant progress achieved in Armenian-Georgian relations. This process is supported by reciprocated top-level contacts, and your visit will help further strengthen our cooperation in both political and economic fields. Georgia has a key role to play not only from the perspective of bilateral relations, but also in terms of ensuring security in the region.”
Thankful for a warm welcome, the Georgian Premier stated in part, “Armenian-Georgian relations have been marked with positive trends in recent years. There have been a series of high-level visits, which went a long way toward boosting bilateral cooperation in different directions. We are pleased with the high level of economic cooperation, which is upheld through the effective work of the intergovernmental commission.” Giorgi Kvirikashvili thanked the Armenian side for high-level attendance of the events dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Georgia’s independence.
The Prime Ministers of Armenia and Georgia discussed a wide range of issues on cooperation in the fields of trade and economy, energy, transport, tourism and education. The role of the Armenian-Georgian intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation was highlighted from the perspective of boosting trade turnover between the two countries. The parties reaffirmed their commitment to reinvigorate the Commission’s activities.
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan said he could see good prospects in the launch of Armenian-Georgian joint ventures in our country, which might facilitate Georgian companies’ access to the EEU ingle market. Welcoming the idea, the Georgian Prime Minister suggested setting up a joint task force to discuss steps in this direction.
Pleased with the current pace of cooperation in the fields of energy, transport and communications, the interlocutors addressed the ongoing programs. Mindful of the need to develop both bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the energy sector, Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Hovik Abrahamyan hailed the meetings held between Armenian, Georgian, Russian and Iranian stakeholders in December, 2015 and April, 2016, which will help initiate and implement investment projects of regional importance.
As such, the parties highlighted the implementation of the North-South Energy Corridor project. Coming to the construction of a power transmission line between Armenia and Georgia, the two heads of government stressed the need for making rapid progress in the ongoing activities.
Pleased with the construction of the Friendship Bridge at Bagratashen-Sadakhlo border checkpoint, which meets the established timetable, the prime ministers pointed out that it will help strengthen cooperation in the field of logistics.
Referring to the natural disaster-caused threats in the Upper Lars border checkpoint, the Prime Minister of Georgia said the transport ministries of Armenia and Georgia are making active efforts to eliminate them.
The sides exchanged views on development of bilateral cooperation in tourism and education. They highlighted the efforts aimed at ensuring regional stability and security.
As the meeting was nearing completion, Giorgi Kvirikashvili noted that the Armenian-Georgian relations have reached the highest level ever since his country gained independence, and emphasized the need to continue efforts to strengthen them ahead.
In conclusion, Hovik Abrahamyan expressed confidence that the Georgian Prime Minister’s visit will serve as an additional impetus for the strengthening and furtherance of the Armenian-Georgian friendly relations.
