Afghan Finance Minister Holds Official Meetings in Georgia

Finance Minister of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Eklil Ahmad Hakimi paid a two-day visit to Georgia on June 28-29 in order to meet governmental officials and discuss further prospects of cooperation between Georgia and Afghanistan. At the meeting with his Georgian counterpart, Dimitry Kumsishvili, the ministers emphasized the friendly relations between the two countries and discussed economic and transport issues. They also noted the great potential for deepening cooperation between the two countries. Special attention was paid to the opportunities that Georgian companies have in Afghanistan.

At the meeting Kumsishvili introduced his Afghan guest to the economic situation of Georgia, the government's four-point plan and the ongoing and planned reforms within its framework. Special emphasis was made on the possibility of developing a transit corridor, which will include both Georgia and Afghanistan.

“Georgia’s experience in terms of tax and customs administration and budgeting is what we agreed to share with the Afghan side,” Kumsishvili stated after the meeting.

Afghan Finance Minister also met Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili.

The meeting focused on geostrategic location of Georgia and its transit potential and prospects of future cooperation between the two countries.

Sharing #Georgia's experience in successful implementation of #reforms w/ @EklilHakimi - Minister of Finance of Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/8h9nYRY3yo

— Giorgi Kvirikashvili (@KvirikashviliGi) June 28, 2017

Important issues on the agenda of bilateral co-operation highlighting the need to find effective mechanisms for developing economic co-operation between the two countries, including for establishing a joint economic commission, were discussed at Hakimi's meeting with Georgia’s Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze.

They discussed to the Lapis Lazuli transit corridor, one of the priority projects connecting the transport infrastructure of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, and its potential to increase cargo traffic between these countries.

The Afghan Minister expressed his gratitude for Georgia’s contribution to the strengthening of security in Afghanistan and for its participation in the NATO Peacekeeping Mission.

Mikheil Janelidze thanked Hakimi for Afghanistan’s support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

Minister of Finance of Afghanistan visits #Georgia. Lapis Lazuli corridor will boost connectivity & trade cooperation in the region & beyond pic.twitter.com/0p9Hpkqr5I

— Mikheil Janelidze (@JanelidzeMkh) June 28, 2017

By Thea Morrison