Georgia Prime Minister meets with Turkmenistan President

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has started his official visit to Turkmenistan with a face-to-face meeting with Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow today.

The pair discussed the development of trade and economic relations, regional transport projects, and bilateral relations in different areas.

"We take immense interest in stepping up regional transport projects which, I believe, serves the interests of both sides. This is why we are here to discuss these projects”, Kvirikashvili said.

He added that Georgia appreciates Turkmenistan's support of Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

"Reciprocally, we, of course, support Turkmenistan's stance in international platforms”, he said.

Prime Minister Kvirikashvili's arrival in Turkmenistan. Photo: PM's press office.

As for trade and economy, Kvirikashvili said that there is an "enormous untapped potential” between Georgia and Turkmenistan, and Georgia’s goal is to make full use of this potential in order to develop transit projects.

"It is vital for the success of the Silk Road to ensure Turkmenistan's active involvement, which is why I believe that our relations must be developed further. We will succeed in advancing our bilateral economic relations to a much higher qualitative level", he said.

Berdimuhamedow emphasised the importance of Kvirikashvili’s visit and the years-long friendly relations between the two nations.

"We are grateful to you for supporting Turkmenistan's international initiatives as a neutral country, its open doors policy in such areas as energy security, transit corridor development, and others”, he told Kvirikashvili.

"There is potential for developing trade and economic cooperation and transit corridor development, which must be used for the benefit of our nations”, he added.

He said that Turkmenistan appreciates the work of the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation, and is thankful for the meeting that is about to take place later today to discuss a variety of cooperation issues.

Meeting with the Chair of Mejlis. Photo: PM's press office.

While in Turkmenistan, Kvirikashvili also met with Chair of the Mejlis Assembly Akja Nuberdiyeva.