Georgia, Turkmenistan deepen economic ties

Georgia and Turkmenistan are deepening their cooperation in the fields of transport, tourism and trade.

During Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili’s official visit to Turkmenistan today, the leaders of the two countries signed three documents that will see Georgia and Turkmenistan work harder on tightening bilateral economic relations.

Margvelashvili was hosted by Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow at the Oguzhan presidential palace in the capital city of Ashkhabad earlier today.

After the face-to-face meeting, the parties met in a broader format where they signed the bilateral agreements based on recognition of each other’s territorial integrity and respect to peaceful solution to conflicts.

A Mutual Understanding Memorandum was signed by the two Presidents in the field of transport. Georgia and Turkmenistan agreed to provide better conditions for freight and passenger traffic between the two countries.

Similarly, Georgian Economy Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister for Tourism Sapardurdy Toylyyev signed an agreement to encourage individual tourism cooperation between the two countries.

The third document was signed by the Presidents of the Georgian and Turkmen Chambers of Commerce and Industry, guarantying the two countries will deepen trade relations.

Georgian and Turkmen President gave a joint press conference after the meeting; Photo by President's Administration 

Speaking at a joint press conference after the meeting, President Margvelashvili condemned the recent so called ‘Alliance and Strategic Partnership’ treaty between Russia and Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia region. He said it was "clear evidence” that Russia was continuing its "annexation policy”.

Meanwhile, Margvelashvili invited his Turkmen counterpart Berdimuhamedow to Tbilisi. The latter accepted the invitation and said he would soon visit Georgia.

Margvelashvili touched down in Ashkhabad yesterday for a two-day official visit. The Georgian President is accompanied on his foreign visit by Economy Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Deputy Foreign Minister Davit Jalaghania, President of the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kakha Baindurashvili, National Security Council Secretary Irine Imerlishvili, Head of the President Administration Davit Pataraia and the President's Advisers Davit Giorgi Abashishvili and Tengiz Phkhaladze.