Georgia as a transit country is of "great importance" for Armenia in the matter of reliable and safe supply of energy resources, communications and telecommunications to the country, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan said on Friday at the opening of a new bridge connecting the two neighbouring countries, an occasion he attended with his Georgian counterpart Irakli Garibashvili. 

• PM hails successful “cooperation and friendship” with Armenia in opening “bridge of friendship”

In his remarks, Pashinyan said the trade turnover between Armenia and Georgia had been “significantly increased”. 

A serious growth has been observed in Armenian-Georgian trade and economic relations. The trade turnover between Armenia and Georgia has increased by 97 percent compared to the same period of the last year. This is a very important indicator, which is the result of continuous and consistent efforts from both sides”, the Armenian PM said. 

Speaking about future prospects, Pashinyan  stressed the importance of regular intergovernmental meetings to “further strengthen cooperation” in cyber security, environmental protection, employment, education, sport, as well as youth and border matters. 

• Georgian, Armenian PMs discuss cooperation agenda

The Head of the Armenian Government also said the two countries could take steps to get involved in various international projects. 

Expressing readiness for a “deeper cooperation”, Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili said the new bridge “symbolised friendship and successful cooperation” between the two neighbours, noting the bridge also carried “strategic importance” as it was a part of the East-West International Highway.