The 14th sitting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Armenia and Georgia was chaired by Nikol Pashinyan and Irakli Kobakhidze.
First of all, the interlocutors discussed the issues on the agenda of bilateral cooperation, touched upon regional issues.
In his speech, Pashinyan noted.
"Dear Prime Minister Kobakhidze,
Dear representatives of the Georgian government,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I warmly welcome you all in Yerevan, the 14th sitting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Armenia and Georgia. I am glad to re-host my friend, Prime Minister Irakli Kobachidze and our fraternal Georgia.
We have already had the opportunity to register that the sessions of the intergovernmental commission are a key platform for discussing the agenda of the multi-layered and multilateral relations between Armenia and Georgia and outline new prospects and formats.
I especially consider it important to do so in the work of this commission specific to do, there are clear decisions, agreements are reached directly, which directly affect the relations between our countries and the welfare of our societies, and the prosperity of our societies. Within the framework of the previous sitting of the commission, 2024 The Joint Declaration of Armenia-Georgia's strategic partnership signed in Tbilisi is considered a cornerstone of the Armenia-Georgia relations in terms of providing stability and development in the whole region. This document not only legally reflects the high level of cooperation between our countries, but also provides a broader practical opportunity to expand the existing cooperation in many spheres.
Our countries and societies share and complement many cultural and valuable traditions to serve and enrich our governments within the framework of this commission. Our joint work is anchored on mutual interests and respect of Armenia and Georgia, which has long been a common perception of the need for a long time.
Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
Dear colleagues,
From the point of view of strategic partners, looking at the history of cooperation between our countries, we note that independent Armenia and Georgia have more than 30 years of cooperation. During those years, we have recorded tangible achievements and overcome many challenges. However, I would also like to emphasize the enormous potential that is available to enrich our relations even more.
The joint commitment to continue that potential and cooperation is based on very specific political realities. Armenia and Georgia fully respect each other's territorial integrity, Armenia and Georgia, a deep understanding and mutual understanding of stability and peace, committed to achieving these goals in the region.
We have summarized 2024 on the idea of increasing the new one on the already built, which we consider it an effective year to deepen Armenia-Georgia cooperation. However, the nature of our warm relations requires never to be satisfied with the acquisition and to jointly identify and overcome new horizons.
Due to this imperative, I am sure that in 2025. Thanks to the joint efforts of all of us, we will seek to implement new and ambitious programs in various areas of mutual interest, transportation to communication, communication, tourism and agriculture to environmental protection, healthcare, education, science, cultural cooperation and people. Activation of contacts.
Without being satisfied, I consider it necessary to take joint steps to further facilitate customs and border settings, which will increase the volume of transportation between the two countries. It is important that the governments of our states work to further harmonize the existing legal framework and to further facilitate the existing field for business contacts and cooperation.
Touching upon the bilateral trade turnover, one of the important indicators of economic cooperation, I must mention that we have some decrease here. In January-November 2024, our trade turnover has decreased according to our statistics, because the methodologies of our statistics are also slightly different. But in any case, I hope that as a result of the consistent work, it will be possible not only to return to former volumes, but also to ensure progress, which is in our permanent discussions.
In this context, we especially emphasize the unblocking of communication and economic infrastructure of the entire region, which must take place within the framework of all countries, territorial integrity and insectivity of the borders. As you know, 2023 In October, I presented the "Crossroads of Peace" project authored by the Armenian government in Tbilisi. In our opinion, Georgia has a key role to play in the economic development of the region. The "Cross on Peace" project has been developed, taking into account that reality and has the potential to provide very specific and tangible benefits for Georgia.
Although in 2024 It was full of a number of regional and global challenges, but Armenia and Georgia have been able to find in line with the rapidly changing political and economic environment, creating preconditions for future success. Our cooperation with strategic logic is also the adoption of more sensitive, attentive and supportive policy for other geopolitical issues, which I am convinced that I will continue in the near future.
Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
Dear colleagues,
Welcoming all of you once and expressing my joy on the occasion of hosting you, I want to wish us success in implementing all mutually beneficial bilateral bilateral initiatives. I am confident that in the future, both sides will make all the necessary efforts to maintain and expand the high level of multifaceted relations.
Thank you. "
In his turn, Irakli Kobakhidze noted.
"It is a great honor for us to co-chair the meeting of this Council, which is held for the 14th time. These numbers testify to close cooperation that there is between us. I would like to note that we had a very interesting bilateral meeting with the RA Prime Minister, we talked about many topics related to contacts between our countries and the region and global developments. It is very important to maintain a close partnership in the common interests of our countries.
It should be noted that the highly high level of dialogue between our countries, cooperation at all levels, the evidence of which is our excellent cooperation. I am glad that this gives tangible results. Our countries have a long-standing relationship based not only on geographical neighborhood, but also our friendly connection has a strong historical basis. It is excellent friendly ties between the Armenian and Georgian peoples, the thousands of years, and at the heart of our governments is mutual respect.
These relations have become a Declaration of Strategic Partnership, which was signed last year, which will be a higher level of relations between Armenia and Georgia, we will continue to deepen our political and economic ties in many directions. I am convinced that this meeting will make the most effective way to strengthen and deepen the existing cooperation formats, deepen our cooperation and find new ways.
Georgia has always been ready to support the stability and peace of the region, which is a precondition for the development of our countries. We are ready to cooperate with our Armenian partners. Armenia and Georgia support each other's territorial integrity, sovereignty, thank you for the fact that you are providing unshakable support to Georgia.
The Georgian government continues to effectively develop the business environment, to improve the environment. I am very glad that Georgia is an interesting country for investments from Armenia. I must say that Armenia's investments have increased by about 40 percent, and I will do our best to make Georgia more attractive to business and investment. I must say that we have effective, clear mechanisms, conditions and program for investors and we will support more investors from your country.
We are very happy that Georgia remains an attractive target for Armenia. About one million tourists from Armenia visited our country. It's an impressive number for a small country. Tourism is more important for economic development, tourism is one of the tools that can deepen ties between peoples, so we are ready to further improve tourist destinations and more tourists. Involve Armenia.
We do our best to bring investors to our countries. Georgia and Armenia offer joint packages to travelers and we need to improve our cooperation even more. These initiatives will help improve the awareness of countries, awareness of the region, awareness. In general, we confirm our readiness to deepen the ties in the economy and trade. Our entire team is ready to do so and we hope to have very close cooperation with Armenia in this direction. "
During the meeting, issues related to the development of cooperation in various spheres of the economy were touched upon. The process of joint bilateral programs was discussed. The consistent steps aimed at the deepening of the ties, infrastructure, energy, transport, tourism, etc. are highlighted.
Nikol Pashinyan and Irakli Kobakhidze signed the minutes of the sitting.
