ARMENIAN PM MEETS HIS GEORGIAN COUNTERPART IN BATUMI
Armenpress
YEREVAN, JULY 7, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian
paid today a three-day official visit to Batumi, capital of Ajaria,
Georgia to participate in the 5th session of the Armenian-Georgian
economic cooperation intergovernmental commission.
Armenian governmental press service informed Armenpress that the
delegation headed by the Armenian prime minister consisted of the
Armenian Finance and Economy Minister Vardan Khachatrian, Deputy
Foreign Minister Gegham Gharibjanian, head of the Armenian State
Tax Committee Armen Avetisian, Deputy Energy Minister Areg Galstian,
aide to the prime minister Stepan Margarian, executive director of
"Armenian Railway" company Ararat Khrimian, as well as other officials,
businessmen and members of parliament.
In Batumi the Armenian prime minister met with his Georgian counterpart
Zurab Noghaideli. Noting the high level of relations and cooperation
between the two countries the prime ministers expressed satisfaction
about the activation of contacts on different levels.
They also expressed conviction that during the session of the
Armenian-Georgian economic cooperation intergovernmental commission
they will discuss a wide-range of issues on bilateral relations,
find ways for their regulation. They will also develop new proposals
directed towards the development of further economic ties between
the two countries.
The prime ministers noted with satisfaction that all the
decisions approved at the 4th session of the commission have
completely been implemented, among which is the opening of
Yerevan-Tbilisi-Batumi-Yerevan railway. Expressing satisfaction
over the decision of the Georgian authorities connected with the
restoration of infrastructures of Samtskhe-Javakheti, Armenian prime
minister said that for smoothening the tension of local population it
would be purposeful to involve the local businessmen and population
in the construction work.
Andranik Margarian once again confirmed the readiness of the
Armenian authorities to support the restoration of Javakhq
infrastructures. During the meeting the two prime-ministers also
underscored the necessity of establishing Armenian-Georgian university,
in this respect Andranik Margarian expressed hope that during this
year a relevant decision will be made in connection with it.
The interlocutors also referred to the issues on re-opening regional
railway communication. The prime ministers agreed to create a joint
working group which will survey the opportunity and effectiveness of
the restoration of Kars-Gyumri-Tbilisi railway.
After the meeting the two prime-ministers co-chaired the 5th session
of the Armenian-Georgian economic cooperation intergovernmental
commission. In his opening speech the Armenian prime minister said that
he is sure the session will promote the continuation of constructive
dialogue established between the two countries.
Zurab Noghaideli on his part talked about the increase of the volume of
trade-turnover between the two countries and referred to the necessity
of encouraging investments which may give new impetus to bilateral
economic cooperation.
On the second half of the day the Armenian prime minister visited
Batumi shipbuilding factory, university and airport where he got
acquainted with the reconstruction work.