Georgian, Armenian PMs discuss Mutual Cooperation

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and his Armenian counterpart Karen Karapetyan discussed the issues of mutual cooperation at the high-level meeting in Yerevan on Friday.

Good neighborly and friendly relations between the two countries and high level of political and economic cooperation were the key topics of the meeting.

"High-level visits create a necessary foundation for further developing our bilateral relations," Georgian PM addressed his counterpart during the face-to-face meeting.

Met Prime Minister of #Armenia, my friend Karen Karapetyan. I am glad to be in a country with centuries-old friendship with #Georgia. High-level visits create a necessary foundation for further developing our bilateral relations. pic.twitter.com/2m5pYnevc7

— Giorgi Kvirikashvili (@KvirikashviliGi) March 2, 2018

According to Kvirikashvili, both Georgia and Armenia are celebrating the 100th anniversary of becoming democratic republics, marking the most important dates for both countries.

The two sides also had an extended meeting with the government officials of the two counties.

“Traditionally active, cultural relations between our countries create a great background for the development of bilateral political and trade-economic relations. We are happy that the political relations between the two countries are at the highest level. We welcome positive dynamics in bilateral trade-economic cooperation. Last year, according to our statistical data, the trade turnover with Armenia increased by 33%, which makes us very happy,” Georgian Prime Minister noted.

At the meeting, the sides focused on the positive dynamics of cooperation in various spheres, including trade-economic, tourism, energy, health, education and humanitarian-cultural directions and future cooperation.

Afterwards, Kvirikashvili and Karapetyan held a joint press-conference.

“I want to welcome the fact that we have very dynamic trade-economic relations. I would also like to congratulate my colleague with a very high rate of economic growth in Armenia as well,” Kvirikashvili said and noted the two countries celebrate 26 years of establishment of diplomatic relations.

Georgian PM also mentioned the importance of regional cooperation, adding Georgia is ready to get involved in more regional projects along with Armenia.

“We also welcome the signing of all-round and extended cooperation agreement between Armenia and the European Union and both sides agreed that further high-level visits should be activated,” he said.

Armenian Prime Minister also underlined friendly relations between the two states, adding further steps in activation economic cooperation between Georgia and Armenia were discussed during the meetings.

“We also talked about tourism and health spheres. We have agreed on the actions that we have to do to ensure the relationship between young people of the two countries is intensive. Issues of restoration of historical-cultural heritage monuments were also discussed,” Karapetyan added.

Georgian Prime Minister will also meet the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan.

By Thea Morrison