2017-05-23
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili
Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
Esteemed colleagues,
Allow me to welcome once again my dear colleague and friend, Mr. Binali Yildirim, and the Turkish delegation. We are honored to host them in the format of the second meeting of the High-Level Georgia-Turkey Strategic Cooperation Council. This format clearly demonstrates the special strategic relations that bind our two nations.
I would like to emphasize the historic importance of this day. Today we celebrate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Georgia and the Republic of Turkey, though our relations have their roots deep in centuries, of course. I absolutely must point out that the Republic of Turkey was one of the first states to recognize Georgia's independence, and it continues to be a strong supporter of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is something the Georgian people deeply appreciate.
The format of the Strategic Council is an effective format maximally to expand the framework of cooperation between our two countries and to define priority directions. In addition, Georgia and the Republic of Turkey have been developing their mutually beneficial cooperation in a number of directions.
We had a very productive and result-oriented meeting. During the meeting, we were able to discuss a wide array of issues pertaining to our bilateral and regional cooperation. The intensity of political, trade and economic, and cultural and humanitarian interaction between the two countries was commended. Special emphasis was placed on prospects of deepening our trade and economic, transport, and energy cooperation.
The parties exchanged views on important regional and global processes.
We commended the intensity of our political relations, as reflected in the high numbers of high-level visits and the results we have in terms of the integration in individual directions. Importantly, Turkey remains committed to Georgia's European aspirations. Turkey is also our reliable defense and security partner, and we continue our close cooperation in these directions as well.
During the meeting, we identified prospects of further intensifying our bilateral trade. I also must underline that tapping into the existing potential will further intensify our active trade relations. Today we signed the Declaration on the Establishment of the Joint Economic and Trade Commission of Georgia and the Republic of Turkey, which definitely is yet another step forward in this direction.
We took special interest in the maximal enhancement of our free trade agreement and its mutual benefits, which will enable us to expand Georgian export to the Turkish market. Of course, we are reciprocal in this regard, and our door is always open to bilateral cooperation.
We discussed our successful cooperation in large transport and energy projects and identified relevant prospects. In this context, we emphasized the importance of the completion of the first Baku-Tbilisi-Kars branch in the summer of 2017, which will further upgrade the competitiveness of the Europe-Asia connecting transport corridor. We confirmed our commitment to implementing the Southern Energy Corridor and ensure the transportation of Caspian energy resources to the West.
We commended our close cooperation and ways to expand it in the fields of culture, justice, customs, and others. In this context, we welcome the bilateral document signed today in relation to economy, justice, cybersecurity, and culture, which will further enhance our substantial bilateral legal framework.
During the meeting, we communicated to our colleagues information about the situation in Georgia's occupied territories.
Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that the visit of the Prime Minister of Turkey to Georgia and the very existence of the strategic cooperation clearly demonstrate the unwavering will and commitment of the Governments of both countries that sustain the development of our bilateral relations.
Once again, I welcome the Prime Minister of Turkey and his delegation. I am convinced that the meetings in Tbilisi will further spur the exemplary relations between our states.
Mister Prime Minister,
Thank you for visiting Georgia. I reiterate our Government's and my personal commitment to cement our strategic partnership and the close friendly relations between our two nations.
Prime Minister of Turkey Binali Yildirim:
We had a very productive and successful meeting. We discussed different directions of our relations and pressing issues related to relations between our respective ministries. We deeply appreciate this meeting and its importance. Our cooperation will not tarry to yield fruit. The first meeting of the High-Level Georgia-Turkey Strategic Cooperation Council was held in July 2016, in Ankara, Turkey, only three days after the appalling coup attempt. That meeting proved very productive. We successfully curbed the coup d'état attempt. The visit of the Georgian Prime Minister shortly after these events, who changed his schedule to reassure us of his commitment to furthering our cooperation, was of paramount importance. It is something we will never forget.
The second meeting of the Strategic Cooperation Council in Tbilisi coincides with the celebration of the 25th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. May 26 is Georgia's Independence Day, and I congratulate the Prime Minister on this date.
Amid the Cold War, Turkey and Georgia were in opposing camps, yet over the past 25 years we have achieved a level of cooperation that takes many countries decades to build. In a short period, we have established friendly, brotherly relations in our strategic cooperation. Currently, there are no political problems between Georgia and Turkey. On the contrary, our comprehensive cooperation covers a variety of directions. Georgia has been Turkey's number one trade partner in the past decade, and that is just the beginning. Our trade turnover will double, and we have an opportunity to contribute to this cause. We want to strike a balance in our trade relations, and we are determined to work together on this issue. No restrictions apply to relations between our two countries. The annulment of visa requirements has drawn our citizens even closer.
Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan enjoy important common transport and energy agreements. Aimed at the establishment of regional structures, this cooperation is of utmost importance.
Allow me underline that, in the past 25 years, Georgia and Turkey have cemented friendly, good neighborly, and brotherly relations that stem from our geography, common strategic cooperation needs, and we are committed to expanding our relations with Georgia. Both sides will benefit from every mechanism of cooperation, and we will spare no effort to support each other in deepening our relations. Our meeting today demonstrates that this trajectory is growing stronger. Turkey remains committed to two basic principles, those of Georgia's territorial integrity and Georgia's sovereign rights. No one is entitled to violate these two principles. Any problem that may arise must be solved through cooperation, and the two principles I just mentioned must be observed when dealing with problems related to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region.
We continue supporting Georgia in a number of directions, such as European and Euro-Atlantic integration, which is so dearly prized by Georgia. We support Georgia's integration into NATO and other Euro-Atlantic institutions. I congratulate Georgia on the recent visa waiver.
As for economic infrastructure, we were able to assess this direction and plan new decisions in this field. We believe that our current trade turnover does not reflect our potential, and we are working on this issue. We have decided to establish a joint economic committee to hold meetings dedicated to this particular subject. As for identifying free trade opportunities, ushering in new products in the market, and the service industry, negotiations on said agreement will be finalized by the end of this year. Today we also signed supplementary legal documents and an agreement on cultural cooperation in 2017-2020.
One of the aspects underpinning the importance of our cooperation is the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars project, which is in fact nearing completion. I have been involved in this project from the outset, and I am happy to announce that it is entering its final phase. My esteemed colleague also prizes this project, having been involved in it as the Minister of Economy. We are implementing a trilateral project in the Caucasus to connect us to Central Asia, the Far East. This connection will lead us all the way to London, this way further intensifying the Silk Road Project, which is so important to the region strategically. In a matter of a few months, we will hold the project's official opening ceremony with the participation of all three countries.
Once again, I am grateful to my esteemed colleague, my friend, Mr. Kvirikashvili. I hope that the decisions we will make will prove beneficial for the citizens of both Turkey and Georgia. I emphasize that the fulfilment of these decisions will be closely monitored.
Prime Minister's Press Office