Georgia, Kazakhstan Discuss Deepening of Economic Cooperation
During an official visit to Astana on June 13 Georgian representatives, led by the President Giorgi Margvelashvili, discussed ways to strengthen economic cooperation between Georgia and Kazakhstan with Kazakh officials. The representatives emphasized that Georgia and Kazakhstan have great potential to develop economic relations and more efforts should be made realize this potential. Considering other trade agreements Georgia has signed, Georgia has favorable conditions for further expanding trade with Kazakhstan also.
The discussion focused in particular on Georgia’s role as a transit corridor, connecting Europe, the Caucasus, and Asia and emphasized Georgia’s work to become the logistical center of the region. Georgia has historically played an important role in the Silk Road project and is also involved in numerous other transport projects.
Prior to the meeting, Georgia’s Margvelashvili and his Kazakh counterpart, Nursultan Nazarbayev, held a meeting.
President Margvelashvili thanked Nazarvayev for the warm reception and invited him to Georgia.
The Georgian president said it was symbolic that his visit coincided with the 25th anniversary of the restoration of Georgia-Kazakhstan diplomatic relations and the international exhibition, Expo 2017, in which Georgia is well represented.
“We have always had an extensive relationship with Kazakhstan and currently opportunities exist to further strengthen this cooperation. This includes the development of economic relations in terms of energy carriers and other products," said Margvelashvili at a joint press-conference.
Nazarbayev called the visit of the Georgian representatives very timely and necessary and noted that it would motivate the governments of the two countries to carry out specific tasks in order to further strengthen ties between Kazakhstan and Georgia.
As President Nazarbayev pointed out, Georgia and Kazakhstan are countries with great potential for transit and that it is paramount to make full use of these opportunities. He also emphasized the importance of further strengthening relations in culture and education.
“We should exchange students, in order forthe next generation to continue our tradition and promote our relationship,” the President of Kazakhstan stated.
President Margvelashvili and his delegation also participated in Expo-2017 in Astana. They visited the Georgian and Kazakh pavilions and as a part of the exhibition and attend a celebration of the National Day of Georgia.
As a part of the official visit, President Margvelashvili also met and the Prime Minister and Chairman of the Parliament and Majlis of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
By Thea Morrison