Republican Party of Armenia

 A Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan-led government delegation is paying official visit to Tbilisi, capital of Georgia at the invitation of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.

Following a tête-à-tête between the two heads of government and an extended meeting of the official delegations, Hovik Abrahamyan and Irakli Garibashvili made a joint statement for media representatives at the press center of the Georgian government.

Below is the full text of the joint statement.

Republic of Armenia Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan – Just a few minutes ago, we wrapped up the meeting with my Georgian counterpart Irakli Garibashvili, which went off in an atmosphere of warmth and friendship.

Reaffirming the strong ties of friendship between the two countries and reiterating our readiness to build on the existing relations, we discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest relating to trade turnover, infrastructure, transport communications, as well as humanitarian and cultural cooperation.

A special emphasis was placed on the activities of the intergovernmental commission and the need for regular contacts as the best medium to develop bilateral relations on a mutually beneficial basis.

As we looked at ways of improving infrastructure and transport communications, we discussed in detail the border checkpoint modernization issue, including the construction of the new Friendship Bridge at Bagratashen-Sadakhlo border checkpoint, for which I am grateful to the Prime Minister of Georgia.

We highlighted the need to ensure undisrupted operations of Upper Lars border checkpoints, the completion of 400kV power transmission line between Armenia and Georgia. The launch of regular Yerevan – Tbilisi, Yerevan – Batumi air flights was prioritized as the key to expanding tourism between the two countries. The conservation and rehabilitation of historical-cultural monuments was emphasized on either side.

Concluding my remarks, I should state over that the talks were held in a friendly and constructive atmosphere inherent in friendly countries. Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank my counterpart for the invitation and a warm welcome.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili – I should note that the running year was marked by a particularly high dynamics of bilateral relations between Georgian and Armenia.

Last October, I was in Armenia on official visit, during which we discussed a broad range of items and outlined ways of developing bilateral relationship. Todays meeting follows up on the dialogue over issues of mutual interest, which was initiated in Yerevan.

We noted that Georgia and Armenia boast close political and economic relations and notwithstanding Armenia’s upcoming membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and Georgia’s signing of an association arrangement with the European Union, our relations will not go any worse; instead we will try to turn the situation to our advantage.
We are paying special attention to maintaining the existing trade regime between the two countries and further developing bilateral economic ties. Today’s meeting reaffirmed that as friendly countries, Georgia and Armenia are firmly determined to build on their mutually beneficial relationship.

We stated today that a bridge named Friendship Bridge will be built to join the two countries. I wish to thank the Prime Minister of Armenia and his delegation for this visit.