Georgian PM calls for strengthening of relations with neighbor states

Georgian Prime Minister says his country needs to strengthen bilateral political and economic cooperation with Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Addressing the annual 3-day meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions to Georgia that kicked off Monday, Sept 2, Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili reminded that after being elected as the PM, he paid his initial visits to the three neighbor states and called on Georgian envoys to develop and strengthen the ties.

After a meeting with Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan is Tbilisi in July, his Georgian counterpart Irakly Alasania said the Armenian-Georgian cooperation is important for regional security, given “the historical and friendly relations between the two nations.”

During his visit to Armenia in January 2013, Mr. Ivanishvili said he will do his best for local Armenians to feel at home in Georgia. He also said he will fulfill all his election pledges regarding resolution of Georgian Armenians’ issue.

“There are no problems between Georgia and Armenia. However, relations with Russia remain strained,” he said, adding that restoration of the Abkhazian railroad is nevertheless among his priorities.