TBILISI: speaker upbeat on ties after meeting Armenian president

Rustavi-2 TV, Tbilisi, Georgia
Feb 25 2009

Georgian speaker upbeat on ties after meeting Armenian president

[Presenter] The Georgian parliament speaker’s [Davit Bakradze] visit
to Armenia continued today with a meeting with Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan. They discussed bilateral relations between the two
countries and the strategic focuses thereof. It was emphasized that
Georgian-Armenian relations must be preserved and enhanced despite the
interference of a third country. At the meeting, Sargsyan pointed out
that Armenia had staked out a neutral position on the Russian-Georgian
War and does not intend to recognize the separatist republics
[Abkhazia and South Ossetia].

[Bakradze, interviewed] We heard once again in absolutely clear terms
from the president that Armenia is interested in a stable and strong
Georgia. Armenia is interested in having as good relations as possible
with Georgia and, accordingly, all problems that exist or may arise in
our relations should be resolved on the basis of precisely this main
principle.

And likewise, for our part, Georgia is interested in a strong and
stable Armenia and I think that Georgian-Armenian relations will
further develop and become closer and stronger in the future.