Georgian and Israel Prime Ministers meet

Developing mutual co-operation between Georgia and Israel and improving regional and international security issues were the main topics discussed at a meeting between Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and his Israel counterpart Binyamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv today, January 28.

"We strive to create a favorable basis for further strengthening bilateral trade relations around the world. Respectively, we attach particular importance to the negotiations on a free trade agreement between Georgia and the State of Israel," the Prime Minister said before the meeting.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that the two countries should focus on how to "increase our friendship and cooperation.”

"We have a natural sympathy with Georgia that seeks to establish a prosperous and secure future for its people. We think we can do that together.”

"Georgia and Israel have every area to cooperate in, technology and water, agriculture, education, everything. And we are open to further this cooperation in all fields. We’ll continue to do that. I’m sure your visit enhances that. That is part of our quest to achieve security, prosperity and peace,” Netanyahu said.

During the visit, an inaugural memorandum of the Joint Economic Commission between Georgia and Israel was signed. The dual-Government initiative aimed to boost business relations between Georgia and Israel.

"Today the first meeting of the Joint Economic Commission was held. The sides signed two documents: a memorandum on co-operation and the protocol of results of the Commission session.

The Commission aims at supporting trade and economic cooperation between our countries,” Garibashvili’s press service said in a statement.

The document of creating the Joint Economic Commission was signed the Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze and Israel’s Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman.photo by PM's Press Office.  

The decision to establish the Joint Economic Commission was made during a visit to Israel by former Prime Minister of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili last June.

After the first meeting of the Joint Economic Commission, it was also announced that Tbilisi will host the next commission sitting in 2015.

The Georgian Prime Minister thanked the Israeli Prime Minister for the invitation to Israel, and Netanyahu responded by expressing his satisfaction with the visit.

PM Garibashvili meets Shimon Peres

The President of Israel Shimon Peres believed that the Joint Economic Commission is a decisive step that will further enhance the economic, cultural and trade relations between Georgia and Israel.

The 90-year-old President welcomed 32-year-old Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili to Israel. He said Jews had lived in Georgia for close to 2,600 years and Georgia was historically the oldest surviving Jewish diaspora.

PM Garibashvili meets The President of Israel Shimon Peres on January 28. Photo by PM’s Press Office.

Garibashvili said Jews were always loved and respected in Georgia and took part in the life and development of the country.

Peres said that he was very glad to see Georgia returning to its free spirit. He had observed Georgia overcome its civil unrest. He briefly spoke about the status of the peace process between Israel and Palestine and said while there were "objective difficulties” there was still "an open window” and an opportunity for both sides have to look at the situation seriously and make a quick, informed decision.

"We should not miss this opportunity,” he added.

A symbolic tree planting ceremony

During his two-day visit, Garibashvili visited the Alley of Jerusalem Nations, where he participated in a symbolic tree planting ceremony.

This is the second tree seedling planted by the head of Georgian Government in the Alley of Jerusalem Nations, last June a symbolic tree was planted in the Alley of Jerusalem Nations by former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili.

After the tree planting ceremony, PM Garibashvili spoke about the old friendship between Israel and Georgia and expressed his desire to further deepen the relationship between the nations.

 

PM Garibashvili participates in a symbolic tree planting ceremony in the Alley of Jerusalem Nations on January 28, 2014. Photo by PM’s Press Office.