Georgia and Turkey Mull Deeper Ties

Within the framework of the Georgia-Turkey High-level Strategic Cooperation Council second meeting, Georgia and Turkey have agreed to deepen cooperation in various fields, including transport, trade, tourism, and economy.

Seven Turkish ministers, led by the Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, paid an official visit to Georgia on Tuesday to discuss strategic partnership with Georgian officials and to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Turkey.

At the face-to-face meeting Georgian Prime Minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Binali Yildirim emphasized that Georgia and Turkey have a very close and long standing relationship.

The conversation also involved Georgia-Azerbaijan-Turkey relations, which promotes political dialogue and result-oriented cooperation on different projects.Special emphasis was placed on the implementation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project which will begin soon.

The leaders discussed further expansion of economic cooperation and emphasized that the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum is a successful platform for discussing ways of enhancing transport, trade, and economic cooperation.

Also, Binali Yildirim confirmed that Turkey supports Georgia’s membership in NATO.

Good discussions a/ further deepening friendly rltns&key directions of strategic partnership between #Georgia and #Turkey https://t.co/VAI3nwWaLo

— Giorgi Kvirikashvili (@KvirikashviliGi) May 23, 2017

At the session of the Georgia-Turkey High-level Strategic Cooperation Council, the leaders signed several important agreements, including a cooperation document between the Georgian and Turkish Justice Ministries, a declaration about creating a joint economic and trade commission between Georgia and Turkey; a cultural cooperation program between the Georgian and Turkish governments; and a cyber-security cooperation memorandum between the Georgian Justice Ministry and the Turkish Transport, Maritime and Communication Ministry.

Furthermore, Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze held a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

The men discussed a broad spectrum of issues on the bilateral, as well as multilateral agenda.

The ministers noted that the format of the council, which first took place in Ankara,Turkey in 2016, provides clear proof of the strategic character of co-operation between the two countries. 

Discussions focused on prospects to further deepen co-operation. The sides underlined that the agreement reached within the Georgia-Turkey High-level Strategic Cooperation Council will give an additional impetus to the already strong inter-state relations.

Welcoming an unprecedented high level delegation visit to Georgia. Hosting #Georgia - #Turkey strategic council pic.twitter.com/S0XYBYdmm5

— Mikheil Janelidze (@JanelidzeMkh) May 23, 2017

The Prime Minister of Turkey and cabinet members expressed support towards Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Thea Morrison