2018-07-16
Prospects of the current relations between Canada and Georgia to be developed further were discussed predominantly by Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia and Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board of Canada today.
Readiness was expressed for the full utilization of current potential in various areas between the countries. Parties focused on the intensification of trade and economic relations, cooperation in the sector of tourism. Authorities also discussed the significance of a new momentum to be gained by the current relationship in the sector of agriculture and cooperation between the educational institutions of the two countries.
As noted by Scott Brison, Georgia is the most important partner and solidly reliable country for Canada in the region. He positively assessed the past and pending reforms of the authorities and commended for the success of Georgia within the scope of the Open Governance Partnership (OGP).
Discussions at the meeting also touched upon the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Canada and Georgia, along with the prospects of direct flights between the countries for intensifying relations between the people and exposure of Canadian businesses and investors with opportunities offered by Georgia.
Contribution of Georgia in the international missions was particularly stressed and noted that Canada supports the policy of Georgia's accession to NATO.
Discussions were also related to the human rights and current humanitarian conditions in the occupied territories of Georgia. Efforts made by the Government of Georgia towards the peaceful resolution of the conflict were assessed positively.
Meeting held at the Government Administration was attended by Ivane Machavariani, Minister of Finance of Georgia; David Dondua, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia; H.E. Christopher John Cooter, Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary Ambassador of Canada to Georgia.
Prime Minister's Press Office