Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili met today in Tbilisi and discussed the current state of bilateral relations and prospects for their development, this according to an Armenian government press release.

Greeting his Armenian counterpart, the Prime Minister of Georgia again congratulated Nikol Pashinyan on his election as Prime Minister, as well as on the 100th Anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia.

Kvirikashvili stressed that his government is prepared to take steps to expand the ongoing cooperation between the two countries and give a strong impetus to Armenian-Georgian relations. 

“We closely followed the recent developments in Armenia. The friendly people of Armenia displayed solidarity, which resulted in a peaceful transfer of power through the democratic way. I want to assure you that we will do everything to add momentum to our relations and tap the full potential. We have a good chance to start a new round of relationships between the two friendly nations,” the Georgian Prime Minister said.

Thankful for the warm reception, Nikol Pashinyan noted that friendship between Armenia and Georgia is deeply rooted in history.

“It is no mere coincidence that my first official foreign trip is being made to brotherly Georgia, with which we have close historic ties, long-standing friendship and mutual respect. I am convinced that as anchored on warm relationships between our two countries and peoples, the interstate dialogue will help build a solid foundation for our cooperation,” the Prime Minister of Armenia said, noting the two heads of government shared the same views as regards bilateral relations.

Nikol Pashinyan congratulated Giorgi Kvirikashvili on the 100th anniversary of reinstatement of Georgia’s sovereign statehood. Prime Minister Pashinyan availed himself of the opportunity to evoke Armenia’s political developments, noting that the non-violent change of power was the manifestation of our people’s will and had no geopolitical implications. The Prime Minister emphasized that the further development of relations with Georgia will continue to be one of the priorities of Armenia’s foreign policy.

The Prime Ministers of Armenia and Georgia discussed a wide range of issues related to Armenian-Georgian cooperation in the spheres of trade and economy, energy, transport, agriculture, tourism and culture. The parties expressed satisfaction with the current level of cooperation in the energy sector, highlighting the prospects for further development of transport communications.

In conclusion, Nikol Pashinyan invited Giorgi Kvirikashvili to visit Armenia at his convenience.

Top photo: Pashinyan, escorted by Kvirkashvili, lays wreath at Heroes Memorial in Tbilisi