The importance of further deepening the close partnership and friendly relations between Georgia and Armenia was discussed by the Prime Ministers of the two countries Irakli Garibashvili and Nikol Pashinyan during a tete-a-tete meeting, the press service of the Administration of the Government of Georgia reports.
The Prime Minister of Armenia is in Georgia on a two-day visit, during which the opening of the Friendship Bridge across the Debed River near the Georgian-Armenian border took place. After the official opening ceremony, the prime ministers of the two countries held a working meeting.
According to the Administration, the heads of government of Georgia and Armenia discussed issues of cooperation in the trade, economic, transport, logistics and cultural fields. In addition, the meeting noted the important role and efforts of Georgia in promoting peace and stability in the region.
Gharibashvili expressed condolences to Pashinyan in connection with the tragedy due to the explosion in the shopping center of Yerevan on August 14.
The new “Bridge of Friendship” is a 160-meter four-lane bridge of modern standards, built on the territory of two states, is a unique project in the region. As a result of its commissioning, the capacity at the border will be doubled.
During his speech, the Prime Minister of Armenia stressed that communication routes are of key importance for trade and economic relations, which allow integrating into the world economy and provide vital links at the national, regional and international levels.
According to him, in the face of the current most difficult challenges, there is a noticeable growth in Georgian-Armenian trade and economic relations, which is the result of constant, consistent and joint work.
“Against the background of our intensive relations, when we return and compare the numbers, we see such positive trends, this sets us up to make our further relations intense,” Pashinyan said.
Georgian-Armenian trade and economic relations have great potential, and we must use this opportunity in our work. There are opportunities in industry, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, computer science, telecommunications, energy, tourism and other areas.
Georgia and Armenia established diplomatic relations in July 1992. The countries cooperate in trade, transport, energy and tourism. Over the 30 years of diplomatic relations, Georgia and Armenia have drawn up dozens of documents of an international nature between themselves in the field of trade, protection of the property rights of manufacturers, and the fight against illicit trafficking in narcotic and psychotropic substances.
The trade turnover between the countries in January-July amounted to $593.5 million, which is 48.3% more than in the same period in 2021. And the export of Georgian products to Armenia for seven months since the beginning of the year increased by 96.3% and amounted to $251.5 million.
