ArmInfo.Cooperation between Georgia and Armenia has entered a qualitatively new stage with the signing of the Declaration on Strategic Partnership. The new stage has had a turning point in our multilateral cooperation," Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili said at a joint briefing with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on July 3, as quoted by Sputnik Georgia.
According to Darchiashvili, at the meeting with the Armenian Foreign Minister, the conversation touched on the political and economic cooperation between the two countries. "We discussed the intensive multidimensional cooperation that exists between our countries. Armenia is among Georgia's top ten trade partners, and among the top three in tourism. We have considered various areas, and I am confident that economic cooperation between us, which is beneficial for both countries, will further strengthen," Darchiashvili said. The Armenian Foreign Minister, in turn, said that Yerevan is interested in further deepening relations with Georgia, especially in the customs sector. "Cooperation between Georgia and Armenia is indeed developing rapidly in all areas - be it economics or security, from education and culture to tourism and contacts between people. There is important progress in trade, and we can expand our cooperation in the customs sector, achieve new important results, and promote deeper contacts between businesses and people," Mirzoyan said.
According to the head of the Armenian Foreign Ministry, this year has been marked by intensive relations between the countries. "There is a dynamic in our bilateral relations," Mirzoyan noted. -0- At the meeting, the parties also expressed support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the two countries and noted their readiness to combat the challenges existing in the region. "We discussed the current processes in the region, the existing challenges and opportunities, and emphasized the importance of joint efforts in combating these challenges," Darchiashvili said.
Meanwhile, the head of the Armenian Foreign Ministry also voiced Armenia's new expectations in Tbilisi. "Armenia enthusiastically received the news about granting Georgia the status of an EU candidate, which is of great importance not only in the context of Armenian-Georgian relations, but also in the context of regional developments. I should say that there are also relations between the Republic of Armenia and the EU, a new agenda of our views and perspectives is being formed," said Mirzoyan.
Georgia and Armenia established diplomatic relations in July 1992. The countries cooperate in trade, transport, energy and tourism. According to preliminary data, trade turnover between the countries in 2023 amounted to $ 1.1 billion. In January 2023, the countries signed an agreement "On bilateral visa-free movement of citizens between Georgia and the Republic of Armenia", which entered into force on July 13, 2023. The agreement allows citizens of Armenia and Georgia to cross the border between the countries with ID cards. In January 2024, Georgia and Armenia signed an agreement on strategic partnership in Tbilisi.
