Georgian president calls for “integration” of Caucasus economies

Rustavi-2 TV, Tbilisi
22 Aug 05

Excerpt from report by Georgian TV station Rustavi-2 on 22 August

[Presenter] Georgia and Armenia have no political problems in their
relations. This was the main message delivered at the end of talks
between the two presidents which Mikheil Saakashvili and Robert
Kocharyan held at the Armenian president’s Sevan residence. The two
leaders said that this was a friendly meeting at which they discussed
a range of issues, including the situation in Samtskhe-Javakheti
[region in southern Georgia with a large ethnic Armenian
population]. [Passage omitted]

[Saakashvili, speaking to journalists] It is very important that
integration of our economies takes place. In general, I believe that
the economies of all three countries of the Transcaucasus should
integrate. All the conditions are in place for this to happen in the
case of the Armenian and Georgian economies.

This year, for the first time, large numbers of Armenian holidaymakers
have been visiting our Black Sea coast. I think that this trend will
grow quickly.

A very interesting business association has been set up. Business
people are working with each other. I think that, separately, we will
find it hard to get stronger economically. Together, we can do much
more.

That is why many political issues – [changes thought] There are no
political problems between Georgia and Armenia. Furthermore, we are
actively cooperating, which has already had an effect on business, on
the atmosphere and on all aspects of relations between the two
countries.

[Kocharyan, speaking to journalists in Russian] What we are doing with
Georgia, the fact that we are building not only official but also
friendly relations, is a good sign, a very good sign. We very much
hope that relations between the presidents will bring about a
transformation in relations between ordinary people. [Passage omitted]