The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, paid a working visit to Georgia today, where he met with his Georgian counterpart, Irakli Garibashvili. The two leaders discussed various aspects of bilateral relations, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Armenia and Georgia Hold Intergovernmental Commission Session
One of the main events of Pashinyan’s visit was the regular session of the intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation between Armenia and Georgia, which took place in Tbilisi under the leadership of the two prime ministers. The commission reviewed the progress and challenges in the fields of trade, transport, energy, tourism, culture, education, and health, and agreed on concrete steps to enhance cooperation and overcome existing barriers.
According to the official data, the trade turnover between Armenia and Georgia amounted to $362.8 million in 2023, which was a 9.7% increase compared to 2022. The two countries also have close ties in the energy sector, as Georgia is one of the main suppliers of natural gas and electricity to Armenia. Moreover, Armenia and Georgia have been working together to improve the connectivity and infrastructure of the region, especially in the context of the EU-funded Eastern Partnership initiative.
During the session, Pashinyan and Garibashvili signed a joint statement, which reaffirmed their commitment to further develop and deepen the strategic partnership between Armenia and Georgia, based on mutual respect, trust, and good-neighborliness. The statement also expressed the readiness of the two sides to cooperate in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to support each other in the implementation of the reforms aimed at strengthening democracy, rule of law, and human rights.
Pashinyan and Garibashvili Exchange Views on Regional Security and Stability
Another important topic of the meeting between Pashinyan and Garibashvili was the situation in the South Caucasus region, which has been affected by the recent war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh. The two prime ministers exchanged views on the prospects of establishing peace and stability in the region, as well as the role of Georgia as a mediator and a partner.
Pashinyan thanked Garibashvili for Georgia’s balanced and constructive position during the conflict, as well as for the humanitarian assistance provided to the people of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. He also expressed his appreciation for Georgia’s efforts to facilitate the return of the Armenian prisoners of war and other detainees from Azerbaijan, as well as to ensure the safe passage of humanitarian and commercial goods through the Georgian territory.
Garibashvili reiterated Georgia’s support for the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, based on the principles of international law and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs’ format. He also stressed the importance of dialogue and confidence-building measures among the parties, as well as the involvement of the international community in the post-war recovery and reconstruction process.
The two prime ministers also discussed the challenges posed by the regional security and stability by the unresolved conflicts in Georgia, namely the Abkhazia and South Ossetia issues. Pashinyan reaffirmed Armenia’s respect for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and expressed his hope for the peaceful settlement of the conflicts through negotiations and dialogue.
Pashinyan and Garibashvili Highlight the Historical and Cultural Ties Between Armenia and Georgia
In addition to the political and economic issues, Pashinyan and Garibashvili also touched upon the historical and cultural ties that bind Armenia and Georgia, as two ancient and friendly nations in the region. The two prime ministers emphasized the role of the Armenian and Georgian communities in each other’s countries, as well as the contribution of the religious leaders and institutions to the preservation and promotion of the common values and heritage.
Pashinyan and Garibashvili visited the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, where they were welcomed by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II. They also paid tribute to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide at the Armenian Pantheon of Tbilisi, where they were accompanied by the Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia, Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan.
The two prime ministers also attended a cultural event at the Rustaveli National Theatre, where they enjoyed the performance of the Georgian and Armenian folk ensembles. They also exchanged gifts, as Pashinyan presented Garibashvili with a painting by the Armenian artist Martiros Saryan, while Garibashvili gave Pashinyan a Georgian carpet and a book about the Georgian-Armenian relations.
Pashinyan’s visit to Georgia was his first foreign trip since he was re-elected as the prime minister of Armenia in June 2023, following the snap parliamentary elections. The visit demonstrated the high level of trust and friendship between Armenia and Georgia, as well as the mutual willingness to strengthen the cooperation and partnership for the benefit of the two peoples and the region.
