Updates
Foreign visits
30
09, 2008
President Serzh Sargsyan's official visit to Georgia
On the first day of the official visit to Georgia, President Serzh Sargsyan met in Tbilisi with his counterpart Mikhail Sahakashvili.
At the outset of the meeting, on behalf of the people of Armenia and his own behalf the President of Armenia expressed condolences with regard to the recent events which claimed human lives.
The two sides underscored friendly relations existing between the two states and stressed the importance of their further development. In was also noted that despite the high level of relations there is still a huge unused potential whose utilization requires concrete steps.
The Presidents discussed thoroughly issues related to the economic cooperation, including those in the areas of energy and transportation. They also spoke about the process of border delimitation. The two sides reached the agreement to form in the nearest future a consortium comprising representatives of the governments of the two countries which will be developing the idea of the alternative route to facilitate the flow of goods and people to Armenia. They also agreed to enhance the border cooperation and mutually simplify the entry procedures for the citizens of Armenia and Georgia.
Stressing the importance of a stable Georgia for Armenia, the President of Armenia noted at the same time that it was no secret that Armenia maintains level of a high strategic partnership with Russia, while Georgia is a centuries-long neighbor and a friend. “Our responsibilities as partners, friends and strategic allies should not interfere with each other and should not be carried out on each other’s expense, “the President of Armenia said.
The leaders of Armenia and Georgia reiterated the necessity of a peaceful resolution of the conflicts. They also stressed the important role of the Armenian community in deepening the ties between the two countries. President Sahakashvili expressed gratitude to the President of Armenia for the save passage via Armenia’s territory provided to many citizens present in the Georgia during the recent events.
After the meeting in the extended format, where the necessity of invigorating the activities of the intergovernmental commission was emphasized, the President of Georgia noted that the Georgian side attaches great importance and highly values relations with Armenia. “I have cordial relations with the President of Armenia, and I am confident that it will positively influence our future cooperation at the all levels, “the President of Georgian noted in his remarks. “Words alone will not make friendship, and during the years of my presidency I have learned more than once the true meaning of a friend’s support.”
At the meeting the President of Armenia was awarded the “Golden Fleece” medal which is the highest Georgian state award granted to foreign citizens.
After the meeting Serzh Sargsyan and Mikhail Sahakashivili gave a joint press conference.
At the meeting of the President of Armenia and the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, David Bagradze stressed was the importance of developing the inter-parliamentary cooperation. Serzh Sargsyan noted that the recent developments in the region revealed strong and weak sides not only of our countries but also those of the region as a whole. With this regard lessons should be learned, conclusions should be drawn, and corresponding measures should be taken.
Afterwards, Serzh Sargsyan and Mikhail Sahakashvili participated at the opening ceremony of the cornerstone of the memorial dedicated to Sayat-Nova at the Maidan square of Tbilisi.
On the second day of his official visit to Georgia, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan laid a wreath at the memorial of those who fell for Georgia. Later, the President of Armenia had a meeting with the faculty and students of the Tbilisi State University. In his speech, held in front of a large scientific and student audience, Serzh Sargsyan spoke about the Armenian-Georgian relations, some regional issues, and prospects of scientific and educational cooperation between the two countries. The Rector of the Tbilisi State University, Georgi Khobua awarded the President of Armenia with the title of Honorary Doctor.
At the conclusion of his official visit to Georgia, President of Armenia met with over 200 representatives of the Armenian-Georgian community at the Marriott Courtyard Hotel in Tbilisi. In his address the President of Armenia stressed the importance of the Armenian-Georgian community in strengthening friendship between the two countries, and expressed readiness along with the Georgian authorities to assist the Armenian community in securing prospects for a stable future. “In Georgia, in Tbilisi the Armenian cultural and national centers flourished and I would like us to preserve and develop Armenian cultural traditions, so that national hubs and cultural centers are revived for the preservation of the national identity and national conscience. It can be done through the unity, through the joint efforts and mutual work,” President Serzh Sargsyan remarked in his speech.
Later same day, President Sargsyan returned to Yerevan.
At the outset of the meeting, on behalf of the people of Armenia and his own behalf the President of Armenia expressed condolences with regard to the recent events which claimed human lives.
The two sides underscored friendly relations existing between the two states and stressed the importance of their further development. In was also noted that despite the high level of relations there is still a huge unused potential whose utilization requires concrete steps.
The Presidents discussed thoroughly issues related to the economic cooperation, including those in the areas of energy and transportation. They also spoke about the process of border delimitation. The two sides reached the agreement to form in the nearest future a consortium comprising representatives of the governments of the two countries which will be developing the idea of the alternative route to facilitate the flow of goods and people to Armenia. They also agreed to enhance the border cooperation and mutually simplify the entry procedures for the citizens of Armenia and Georgia.
Stressing the importance of a stable Georgia for Armenia, the President of Armenia noted at the same time that it was no secret that Armenia maintains level of a high strategic partnership with Russia, while Georgia is a centuries-long neighbor and a friend. “Our responsibilities as partners, friends and strategic allies should not interfere with each other and should not be carried out on each other’s expense, “the President of Armenia said.
The leaders of Armenia and Georgia reiterated the necessity of a peaceful resolution of the conflicts. They also stressed the important role of the Armenian community in deepening the ties between the two countries. President Sahakashvili expressed gratitude to the President of Armenia for the save passage via Armenia’s territory provided to many citizens present in the Georgia during the recent events.
After the meeting in the extended format, where the necessity of invigorating the activities of the intergovernmental commission was emphasized, the President of Georgia noted that the Georgian side attaches great importance and highly values relations with Armenia. “I have cordial relations with the President of Armenia, and I am confident that it will positively influence our future cooperation at the all levels, “the President of Georgian noted in his remarks. “Words alone will not make friendship, and during the years of my presidency I have learned more than once the true meaning of a friend’s support.”
At the meeting the President of Armenia was awarded the “Golden Fleece” medal which is the highest Georgian state award granted to foreign citizens.
After the meeting Serzh Sargsyan and Mikhail Sahakashivili gave a joint press conference.
At the meeting of the President of Armenia and the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, David Bagradze stressed was the importance of developing the inter-parliamentary cooperation. Serzh Sargsyan noted that the recent developments in the region revealed strong and weak sides not only of our countries but also those of the region as a whole. With this regard lessons should be learned, conclusions should be drawn, and corresponding measures should be taken.
Afterwards, Serzh Sargsyan and Mikhail Sahakashvili participated at the opening ceremony of the cornerstone of the memorial dedicated to Sayat-Nova at the Maidan square of Tbilisi.
On the second day of his official visit to Georgia, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan laid a wreath at the memorial of those who fell for Georgia. Later, the President of Armenia had a meeting with the faculty and students of the Tbilisi State University. In his speech, held in front of a large scientific and student audience, Serzh Sargsyan spoke about the Armenian-Georgian relations, some regional issues, and prospects of scientific and educational cooperation between the two countries. The Rector of the Tbilisi State University, Georgi Khobua awarded the President of Armenia with the title of Honorary Doctor.
At the conclusion of his official visit to Georgia, President of Armenia met with over 200 representatives of the Armenian-Georgian community at the Marriott Courtyard Hotel in Tbilisi. In his address the President of Armenia stressed the importance of the Armenian-Georgian community in strengthening friendship between the two countries, and expressed readiness along with the Georgian authorities to assist the Armenian community in securing prospects for a stable future. “In Georgia, in Tbilisi the Armenian cultural and national centers flourished and I would like us to preserve and develop Armenian cultural traditions, so that national hubs and cultural centers are revived for the preservation of the national identity and national conscience. It can be done through the unity, through the joint efforts and mutual work,” President Serzh Sargsyan remarked in his speech.
Later same day, President Sargsyan returned to Yerevan.