Georgia, Turkey deepen co-operation
By Tea Mariamidze
Wednesday, May 24
The cabinet members of Turkey, led by Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, paid an official visit to Georgia on Tuesday within the framework of the Georgia-Turkey High-level Strategic Cooperation Council.
The visit of the Turkish delegation coincided with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Turkey.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili hosted Binali Yildirim at the governmental administration.
The PMs discussed fields of strategic cooperation between the two states and underlined that Georgia and Turkey have a very close and long lasting relationship.
The sides underlined the necessity of deepening cooperation in tourism, trade, transport and economics.
“The second session of the Georgia-Turkey High-level Strategic Cooperation Council clearly demonstrates that our countries have a close and friendly relationship,” Kvirikashvili told his counterpart.
Binali Yildirim recalled Giorgi Kvirikashvili's visit to Ankara within a few days after the military coup attempt in Turkey and noted that the Turkish government and Turkish people appreciate this solidarity.
Kvirikashvili thanked the Turkish counterpart for supporting Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The second session of the Georgia-Turkey High-level Strategic Cooperation Council was led by the Georgian and Turkish Prime Ministers.
Kvirikashvili stated that in terms of regional instability, strategic cooperation and high level political dialogue between Georgia and Turkey gains even greater value.
He noted the importance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway project, the first stage of which is to be completed by the summer of 2017.
“This project, together with the Southern Energy Corridor Project, significantly facilitates diversification of transport routes…this is one of the most important segments of the 'Silk Road' revival project,” said Kvirikashvili.
The Prime Ministers signed the "Tbilisi Statement", which reaffirms their respect for the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and says that cooperation and friendship between Georgia and Turkey guarantees regional peace, stability and well-being.
Several other agreements were also signed by the Georgian and Turkish ministers about deepening ties in the fields of economics, culture, justice, and cyber security.
