Batumi News
April 1 2004

Armenian Minister of Defense visits Georgia

Armenian Minister of Defense and Secretary of the Security Council
Serge Sarqisyan arrived in Georgia. The Armenian high official held a
meeting with his Georgian counterpart, Vano Merabishvili.

The parties tackled the issues of restoring Sochi – Yerevan railroad
connection, cargo transiting and interstate cooperation. Merabishvili
said restoring of the railway connection should be discussed within
the framework of Abkhazian conflict regulation. `It would be
appreciated if Armenia brokers peaceful resolution for Abkhazian
conflict with Russia, considering its friendly relations with this
country’, – Merabishvili said.

Serge Sarqisyan met Givi Iukuridze, chief of the General HQ of the
Georgian armed forces, Irakli Alasania, deputy Defense Minister of
Georgia. Mr. Sarqisiyan will hold meetings with Georgian President
Mikheil Saakashvili and Prime Minister of Georgia, Zurab Zhvania.