Official visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to Georgia

At the invitation of the President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, President Serzh Sargsyan arrived on 29 November to Tbilisi on a two-day official visit.

After the official ceremony of welcoming the President of Armenia at the residence of the President of Georgia, Serzh Sargsyan and Mikheil Saakashvili held a tête-à-tête meeting which was followed by the negotiations in the extended format with the participation of the delegations of the two states. At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties signed a number of documents pertinent to the development of bilateral cooperation in different areas. Signed were in particular the Agreement on Cooperation between the Governments of the Republic of Armenia and Georgia in the area of Standardization, Metrology and Conformity Assessment, Agreement on Cooperation between the RA National Security Service and Ministry of Interior of Georgia on Border Cooperation, Agreement on Cooperation between the RA Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and Georgian Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs on the youth related issues, Protocol on Cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. The results of the meetings were summarized at the joint press conference of the Presidents of Armenia and Georgia.



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Statement by President Serzh Sargsyan at the joint Press Conference with the President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili

Dear Friends,

Visiting again brotherly Georgia, I thank President Saakashvili for this warm reception. The frequency of our reciprocal visits testify once again to the high level of interrelation between our two countries, and also provides a good opportunity to express mutual respect and, I would say, brotherhood which stems from the union of our two nations.

It may be stated with confidence that with regard to the dynamics of development of our cooperation this year has been unprecedented. And at this point, I certainly agree with Mr. Saakashvili that in the last two years our relations have been developing vigorously: over two dozen of high-level visits have been conducted, encompassing our cooperation in all areas – education and social issues, energy and transport, interparliamentary relations, defense, border police security, and the list goes on. Days ago, the 9th session of the Intergovernmental Commission co-chaired by the two Prime Ministers, took place in Batumi. Six documents have been signed during this year, and today, in the framework of this visit – another four. With regard to this legal field for cooperation, we have reached a very high level.

Among these documents, I would like to single out, in particular, the Agreement on Cooperation between the RA National Security Service and Ministry of Interior of Georgia on Border Cooperation. It is conditioned by the necessity to establish close cooperation between the two border services and will enhance the improvement of the mechanisms aimed at the solutions of the problems of the residents of the border villages. It is no secret, that in many place we live “intertwined”, so to speak, and such a document has been signed to avert problems.

Not long ago, during the negotiations with the President of Georgia, we discussed issues related to almost every area of the Armenian-Georgian cooperation. We acknowledged positive changes in our trade and economic cooperation: this year there has been a 20 percent increase, although I should note that physical volumes, I mean the turnover, existing between our countries, are inadequate for Georgia as well as for Armenia. It’s a small figure, and I am confident that if we solve certain problems, we can really make a breakthrough.

We view the increase of the turnover, expansion of investments, economic, scientific and technological integration as important directions for the development and deepening of our trade and economic relations. We also view as priority cooperation with Georgia in the areas such as energy, transport and, certainly, culture.

In the coming months, we will start the construction of the North-South highway which will be built in compliance with the highest standards. The highway will connect with the Georgian Ninotsminda-Batumi highway, which is under reconstruction now, and will allow to expeditiously and comfortably transport cargo from the Persian Gulf to the seaports of Georgia. Naturally, Georgians know pretty well what is a highway of European standards, and I believe that already next year the Armenian public will also appreciate the advantages of such infrastructure. Steps are also being taken toward the synchronization of our power supply systems. This is too a very important issue.

Armenia and Georgia build their relations in the spirit of good neighborly relations, long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation. Our cooperation is an important component of our sincere dialogue and concrete, practical work to ensure security of our countries, regional stability, in withstanding contemporary challenges and threats.

We have also conducted negotiations regarding the prospects of regional cooperation, stating unequivocally that it is the only way for easing tension in the region and creation of more favorable conditions for the settlement of the conflicts.

Moments ago, during the negotiations, I said that each time I visit Georgia, it becomes obvious for me that we do not interact sufficiently. I wish that at least several times a year, leaders of different levels conduct meetings because it is necessary not only for the resolution of certain problems but also for showing the younger generation the high level of our relations. I thank the leadership of Georgia for constantly creating favorable conditions. I have also told Mr. President that we have registered progress on two or three issues which are matters of principle for us, and I am thankful for that to the President and to the Government of Georgia. I thank you for this atmosphere, for our relations, and I am glad that during these two days, I will be enjoying respect and attitude of my Georgian friends.



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On 29 November, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, who is in Georgia on official visit, held meetings with the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament David Bakradze and Catholicos of All Georgia Patriarch Ilya II.

President Sargsyan and the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament discussed issues related to deepening and strengthening of bilateral relations, noting that the passing year has been very productive for the centuries-long history Armenian-Georgia friendly relations which have also been fostered by numerous reciprocal visits on different levels.

The parties concurred that the interparliamentary relations should be invigorated. With this regard, they underscored the importance of enhancing works of the Interparliamentary Cooperation Commission, as well as reciprocal visits of the members of the two Parliaments and parliamentary groups.

At the meeting, Serzh Sargsyan and David Bakradze spoke also about the necessity to improve the legal field for the development of the Armenian-Georgian cooperation, which according to them, will considerably strengthen the economic ties of the two countries.

At the meeting with Catholicos of All Georgia Patriarch Ilya II, the two sides underscored the importance of the Armenian Apostolic Church and Georgian Orthodox Church in the lives of the Armenian and Georgian peoples and the two states. It was noted that in difficult times Church substituted state, strongly maintaining faith and protecting national identity.

President Serzh Sargsyan and Catholicos Patriarch Ilya II also said that cultures of our two friendly states have always complement each other and stressed the importance of expanded cooperation and continuous development of the relations between the two neighboring countries.

Before the aforementioned meetings, President Serzh Sargsyan visited the Square of the Heroes in Tbilisi, paid tribute and laid a wreath at the memorial.

In the evening, President Mikheil Saakashvili and Mrs. Sandra Roelofs gave official dinner in honor of the President of Armenia and Mrs. Rita Sargsyan.



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President Serzh Sargsyan, who is in Georgia on official visit, visited on 30 November Armenian Saint Etchmiadzin Church and later participated at the unveiling of the bust of the great Armenian benefactor Alexander Mantashov.

In Tbilisi, the President of Armenia met also with the representatives of the Armenian community of Georgia and answered their questions which were mainly related to the organization and development of spiritual, cultural and educational life of the Armenian community of Georgia, strengthening relations of the community with Motherland, improvement of the work of the check points at the border of the two countries and other issues.

In the framework of his official visit, President Serzh Sargsyan together with the President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili participated at the opening of the Armenian-Georgian Business Forum.

Serzh Sargsyan greeted the participants of the Forum and stressed the importance of the meeting and active cooperation of the representatives of business communities of the two states from the viewpoint of strengthening the Armenian-Georgian relations and development of the two countries. Noting, that it is very pleasing to see achievements made by our neighbor in the last several years, the President of Armenia underscored that the economies of the two countries resemble each other, including the scarcity of natural resources, which implies that success can be achieved through good governance and human potential.

Serzh Sargsyan spoke about investments made into the economy of Armenia, priority areas of the Armenian economy, positive changes registered in some areas of the economy during the process of elimination of the consequences of the global financial and economic crisis and about tasks ahead. “I am proud that the area of information and high technologies in Armenia is developing rapidly; this year we anticipate a 25 percent increase in that area. The very fact, that the world’s leading companies are interested and make investments in Armenia, is certainly very pleasing for us and inspires great hopes,” the President of Armenia said.

According to President Sargsyan, if nations, ordinary people do not have good relations, economic relations cannot develop properly. Assessing contacts at every level as very useful, President Serzh Sargsyan expressed hope that mutual investments in the two countries will increase.