RA AMBASSADOR TO GEORGIA PAYS WORKING VISIT TO AJARIA
BATUMI, JUNE 2, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA Ambassador to
Georgia Hrach Silvanian paid a working visit to the Autonomous
Republic of Ajaria of Georgia on May 27-29. RA Ambassador had a
meeting on May 27 with acting Mayor of Batumi M.Beridze. The Mayor
mentioned that municipal authorities are more interested in developing
relations with Armenia in all directions. During the last two years,
positive and hopeful changes are noticed in Ajaria. The process of
privatization of municipal objects is actively being implemented, and
different investment programs are also implemented. As for Armenia,
the Mayor expressed sorrow that they had great expectations with
Armenian businessmen’s wide-spread investment and other activeness but
business involvement of Armenia is not yet satisfying in the municipal
market and there are still many free directions in the sphere of
tourism and service. However, the Mayor’s Office has great
expectations connected with Armenia what is provided by considerable
increase of the number of Armenian tourists visiting Batumi and other
cities of Ajaria. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign
Ministry’s Press and Information Department, the Ambassador had a
meeting on the same day with Prime Minister of Ajaria
L.Varshalomidze. The Prime Minister emphasized that Batumi and
Vanadzor were already sister-cities during the Soviet period, and
proposed to re-start again that healthy and useful tradition. But,
taking into account both present independent states’ status of the two
countries and special relations of the Autonomous Republic of Ajaria
with Armenia and Armenian citizens’ considerable stream to the region,
it would be pusposeful to establish a consular office in Batumi. The
Ambassador responded that he is completely of the same opinion
concerning that idea and supports the issue that may be discussed
during the coming official meeting. Varshalomidze emphasized Ajaria’s
interest in the direction of involving Armenian businessmen in the
inner market and affirmed its readiness to create beneficial
conditions for Armenian business. He fixed that there are already
examples of Armenian businessmen’s successful activity in Batumi,
mentioning opening of the “Armenia” restorant and ice-cream workshop
in the city. The sides came to the idea that it’s necessary to assist
widening and development of bilateral cooperation in any way, working
out new moduses of optimal and mutually beneficial contacts.
The Prime Minister emphasized that problems of the Armenian community
will always be in the center of his attention. The Ambassador’s
meeting with Armenian businessmen also took place on May 27. He called
on during the meeting to continue and even more activize their
activity in the republic. The Embassy delegation participated on the
same day in the celebration dedicated to the First Republic Day,
organized by the Armenian community. Ambassador’s meetings with
N.Mgeladze, the Rector of the Batumi State University and pupils and
teachers of Armenian schools of the city took place on may 29. After
those meetings, the Embassy delegation went to Kobuleti where it met
with T.Zoidze, the Deputy Region Gamgebeli (education department
head). Issues of establishment of sister-cities and possible
activization of Armenian business circles in the region were
discussed.