Georgian president rides horse during Turkmenistan visit

Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili visited Turkmenistan on Monday and signed four agreements dealing with as diverse issues as economy, culture, trade and tourism.

People travelling with him say the business leaders in Turkmenistan are interested in the investment environment in Georgia.

This was the first visit to Turkmenistan by a Georgian president since 1997, and it will be reciprocated by a trip to Georgia in the near future by Margvelashvili’s colleague Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow.

After the meeting, Berdimuhamedow and Margvelashvili held a joint press conference. The Georgian president thanked his colleague for supporting Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for not recognizing the independence of the breakaway regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia. He said Georgia and Turkmenistan have a common view on cooperation in the Eurasian region and a potential for economic development.

In connection with the president’s visit, there was a show featuring Turkmen horses of the Akhal-Teke breed. Margvelashvili rode on one of the horses at the international horse sports complex of Turkmenistan.

At the end of his visit, there was a dinner at the president’s palace.

Minister of Economy Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Deputy Foreign Minister Davit Jalaghania, Head of Georgia’s Trade Industrial chamber Kakha Baindurashvili, Secretary of the Security Council Irine Imerlishvili, Head of President Administration Davit Pataraia and advisors of president Giorgi Abashishvili and Tengiz Pkhaladze were in the delegation, which returned to Georgia on Sunday. (DF watch)