2017-07-25
Georgia's great closeness to Israel covers both emotional and strategic levels, and these relations must be reflected in economic partnership as well, which is the main goal of this visit, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili stated during his meeting with Georgian Jews in Jerusalem.
The Prime Minister emphasized the great role they play in further deepening Georgia-Israel bilateral relations. He also spoke of the high-level political partnership between the two countries.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili commended the growing tourism statistics as an important step forward, also stating that, last year, 100,000 tourists visited Georgia last year, and that their number is expected to exceed 150,000 by the end of 2017.
"We also enjoy interesting cooperation in a number of directions, but the main goal of our visit today is to strengthen our economic relations and security cooperation. I was excited to invite Mr. Netanyahu who is held in high esteem in both Georgia and worldwide. He is one of the distinguished global leaders, and we will be honored to host him in Georgia with an Israeli business delegation. We want this visit to take place very soon because, as I am convinced, there are several promising directions for cooperation. We also discussed the challenges facing Israel and Georgia. I am proud to say that we, together with our Jewish friends, prayed by the Wailing Wall for peace in both Israel and Georgia. It was a sense of that exceptional unity and consolidation that our nations share. This unity is centuries-old, but a day will come when we will have to excel what we have achieved so far, and we will have to build upon our special friendship and transform it into special economic partnership, as befits our political relations," the Prime Minister stated.
According to the Prime Minister, the next session of the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation is planned for this fall to continue important dialogue on different directions of bilateral cooperation. Giorgi Kvirikashvili emphasized that his conversation with the Prime Minister of the State of Israel also involved the challenges facing Georgia's territorial integrity.
The Prime Minister once again thanked the State of Israel for supporting Georgia's territorial integrity within international recognized borders and its sovereignty, which is much appreciated and valued by Georgia and its Government.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili also informed Georgian Jews of his recent meetings with the President of the State of Israel and the Speaker of Knesset, much attention during which was paid to prospects of bilateral relations. The Prime Minister also mentioned meeting the opposition forces in Knesset and his visit to the headquarters of the Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP), during which Israel-Georgia partnership in the areas of innovation and high technology was discussed. The Head of Georgian Government also spoke of prospects of deepening Georgia's relations with Israel, which are grounded in centuries-old friendship.
"It will build upon our centuries-old friendship. We cherish this friendship, but it also important to have large-scale partnership with the State of Israel and to develop directions with untapped resources, such as trade and investment relations, cooperation in the areas of education, innovation and high technology, and security. Of course, tourism and agriculture already have a good record of successful development, but even there we have great resources," the Prime Minister pointed out.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili wished success to the representatives of Georgian Jews and expressed readiness to host them in Georgia and discuss together the opportunities for further developing the relations between the two countries.
The Prime Minister thanked Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Minister Tzipi Hotovely for warm welcome.
Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely spoke of the special relations between the two countries and nations.
"Israel loves Georgia. Every Israeli tourist visiting Georgia tells everyone about the beauty of Georgia," Tzipi Hotovely stated.
The meeting with the Prime Minister of Georgia was attended by almost 100 representatives of Israel's Georgian Jews. They thanked Giorgi Kvirikashvili, pointing out the importance of such an honest conversation and warm meeting.
Prime Minister's Press Office