Georgia – Tajikistan: 27 years of cooperation and more is ahead

Georgia, as a country with an ancient history, beautiful nature, excellent climate and cultural attractions, has always fascinated me. In April 2019, I was honoured to become Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to Georgia.

Although I am based in Baku, as I am also the Ambassador of my country to Azerbaijan, I am delighted each time to come to Georgia, this pearl of the Caucasus.   Georgia is an amazing country with its architectural monuments, distinctive culture, hospitable people, incredibly beautiful songs and famous Georgian traditions.

As the Ambassador of Tajikistan to Georgia, I always try to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between our countries. The entire staff of our Embassy is also actively involved in this process.

I have visited many parts of the country, met with government officials, representatives of the private sector and ordinary people. During these talks, there were mutual desires to further develop Tajik-Georgian ties. In order to expand and deepen bilateral cooperation, it is necessary to create a favourable atmosphere and to meet at different levels periodically.

Tajikistan attaches great importance to the development of extensive relations with Georgia, based on the principles of mutual trust and respect.

Iskanderkul mountain lake in Tajikistan. Photo: Embassy of Tajikistan to Georgia. 

Over the 30 years of independence, relations between the two countries have been steadily strengthened. This has created a favourable basis for resolving any mutual issues and establishing active contacts at the international arena.

Beginning of cooperation between the two independent states

Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and Georgia were established on 4 August 1994.

Tajik Nation’s Leader, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon held a number of meetings with the Georgian leadership within the framework of international and regional events, various bilateral cooperation issues were discussed.

In the recent history of the two countries, friendly relations and mutual understanding on many global and regional issues have formed the central basis for the mutual cooperation. Such an approach corresponds to the level of relations between the two countries and their people. There is no doubt that, since independence, the historical and cultural ties between the two nations have been strengthened.

At present, the two parties are engaged in an effective political dialogue and actively make use of cooperation mechanisms, including visits at various levels and political consultations.

On 24 May 2019 the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Republic of Azerbaijan and to Georgia, Rustam Soli, presented his credentials to the President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili. Photo: Embassy of Tajikistan to Georgia. 

After the presentation of credentials, the President of Georgia met the Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The Ambassador conveyed the greetings of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan to the President of Georgia and emphasised that Tajikistan wished the country and the people of Georgia peace and prosperity.One of the main points discussed was the strengthening of economic and trade relations between Tajikistan and Georgia.

Inter-Parliamentary relations

The Republic of Tajikistan and Georgia pay special attention to strengthening inter-parliamentary relations. In this regard, a key role is played by the Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, which makes efforts to deepen and promote relations between Tajikistan and Georgia in the political, trade, economic, transport and transit, energy, agro-industrial, humanitarian and cultural spheres.

Strengthening inter-parliamentary relations helps to deepen friendly relations and mutual trust, improving the quality and effectiveness of multifaceted cooperation, both at the interstate level and between the peoples of the two countries, and is also important in monitoring the implementation of bilateral agreements.

On 24 May 2019, in the margins of the ceremony of presenting his credentials to the President of Georgia, the Ambassador of Tajikistan met the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze. Photo: Embassy of Tajikistan to Georgia. 

At that meeting they exchanged views on comprehensive relations between Tajikistan and Georgia and discussed the expansion of multifaceted relations between the two countries in all areas, especially the inter-parliamentary, political, economic, transit and cultural spheres and in social cooperation.

Trade and economic cooperation

Economic cooperation is one of the main areas of Tajik-Georgian relations. Trade and economic relations play an important role in the development of relations, friendship and cooperation between the two countries. From the moment diplomatic relations were established up to the present day, trade and economic relations between the two countries have been developing.

On 27 May 2019 the Ambassador met the Prime Minister of Georgia, Mamuka Bakhtadze. They exchanged views on the activation of instruments of bilateral cooperation, including the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation.

National Museum of Tajikistan. Photo: Embassy of Tajikistan to Georgia. 

Cooperation between Tajikistan and Georgia within the framework of international organisations, particularly the TRACECA Intergovernmental Commission, is noteworthy. This international institution plays an important role in creating new opportunities for the use of transit corridors and the development of road and sea transport through ports.

Georgia is known for its seaports and its geographical location is favourable for the transport of goods to the Central Asian region, including Tajikistan. There are, therefore, good prospects for cooperation with Georgia in the field of land transport and transit.

For example, in 2020 the trade turnover between the Republic of Tajikistan and Georgia, despite the negative impact of the spread of COVID-19, amounted to more than 15 million US dollars, which is 2.9% more compared with the same period of 2019. The main from Georgia to Tajikistan at present consists of food, medicine, wood, electrical equipment and furniture.

The organisation of the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Economic and Trade Commission between Tajikistan and Georgia can contribute to the development of bilateral relations in these areas.

Main meetings on bilateral cooperation:

• 27 May 2019,Georgia -  the Ambassador of Tajikistan met the Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Akaki Sagirashvili.
• 13 September 2019, Georgia - the Ambassador of Tajikistan met Gennady Arveladze, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, who is also Co-Chair of the Tajik-Georgian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation.

            Opportunities for further expansion of economic, trade and investment cooperation are         discussed   in the meetings with sectoral authorities in Georgia.

• 13 April 2021, Georgia - the Ambassador of Tajikistan met the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Alexander Khvtisiashvili.

During the meeting, they discussed the improvement of the legal framework for bilateral relations, the establishment of joint ventures for the production of alcoholic beverages, the provision of preferential tariffs for services in Georgian ports and the reduction of tariffs for Tajik products at Georgian railway stations. An exchange of views also took place on the prospects for bilateral relations in all areas, including the political, economic, trade, transport and transit, and energy spheres, industry, culture, science and education.

• 13 April 2021, Georgia - the Ambassador of Tajikistan met the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, David Zalkaliani. In the course of the meeting, they discussed the development of diplomatic relations, the implementation of joint projects and the prospects for bilateral cooperation.

Between them, they considered it expedient to organise high-level visits, in particular the official visit of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan to Georgia, political consultations, consular consultations and the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation.

• 15 February 2021  - online political consultations between Tajikistan and Georgia at Deputy Foreign Minister level.The discussions covered cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres within the framework of international organisations and an active exchange of views on regional security issues took place.

The Ambassador of Tajikistan to Georgia (residence in Baku) met with the Ambassador of Georgia to the Republic of Tajikistan (residence in Tashkent) participated at the meeting.

The Fann Mountains in Tajikistan. Photo: Embassy of Tajikistan to Georgia. 

In consultations on the preparations for the forthcoming visit of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan to Georgia, the organisation of the first meeting of the Tajik-Georgian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation and the meeting of experts of the Ministries of Economy of Tajikistan and Georgia were discussed. In addition, the proposal was made to consider the possibility of establishing joint ventures, especially in the field of alcohol production for export to third countries.

At the end of the political consultations between Tajikistan and Georgia, the Programme of Cooperation of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries for 2021-2022 was signed.

In addition, regular working contacts have been established with the Ambassador of Georgia to Azerbaijan and the Ambassador of Georgia to Tajikistan, resident in Tashkent. Bilateral relations and other current issues are discussed both within the framework of separate meetings of the heads of diplomatic missions of Tajikistan and Georgia, as well as during regular telephone conversations.

• 5 March 2021, Baku -  the Ambassador of Tajikistan met the Ambassador of Georgia to Azerbaijan, Zurab Pataradze. At the meeting the current state of and prospects for mutual cooperation were discussed. It was stressed that one of the important areas of bilateral relations is inter-parliamentary relations.
• 2 April 2021 - online meeting of Tajik and Georgian experts in coordination with the Embassy of Tajikistan and at the initiative of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.
• 14-15 April 2021, Georgia – visit of the delegation of the Republic of Tajikistan led by the Minister of Transport, Azim Ibrahim. The Tajik delegation met representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia. The issues of intensifying cooperation in the fields of transport, transit and industry, the improvement of the legal framework for mutual relations, and the organisation of mutual visits at various levels were discussed at the meeting.

Tajik delegation visited the Gebrüder Weiss logistics centre in Georgia. Within the framework of the visit, the Tajik delegation got acquainted with the activities of the centre.

Tajik delegation also visited the Georgian Land Transport Agency. A bilateral meeting with the senior management of the Agency was held. During the meeting the issues of expanding cooperation in the field of surface transport, the organisation of meetings between the specialists of the two countries and implementation of joint projects in this field were discussed.

The Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of Georgia on international road transport was signed following this visit.

Culture, science and cooperation between cities

The Tajik delegation also met the Deputy Mayor of Tbilisi, Irakli Khmaladze. Views were exchanged on the activities of Tbilisi city in the field of transport, organisation of the operations of public transport in the capital of Georgia and the prospects for bilateral cooperation.

Cooperation in the fields of culture, science and education is also important for deepening relations between the two countries. Photo: Embassy of Tajikistan to Georgia. 

In view of this, the conditions are favourable for stepping up exchanges in the fields of culture, the arts and tourism, as well as strengthening mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries and a further expansion of relations between the two States.

It would be advisable to increase participation by the scientific and cultural communities of Tajikistan and Georgia in scientific, cultural and other events held in both countries. At the same time, there is a need to arrive at and sign an agreement on cooperation in this area and the implementation of joint projects.

Cooperation between the Republic of Tajikistan and Georgia in the field of culture was discussed at the meeting of the Ambassador of Tajikistan with the Ambassador of Georgia to the Republic of Azerbaijan on 5 February 2020.

The Mosque in Khujand city of Tajikistan. Photo: Embassy of Tajikistan to Georgia. 

The Ambassador of Tajikistan also gave the Ambassador of Georgia detailed information about the 5500th anniversary of the ancient settlement of Sarazm and the celebration of this event.

Relations between Tajikistan and Georgia are based on mutual understanding, friendship and trust. At the same time, there is much to be gained from expand bilateral relations further, improving the legal framework, organising mutual visits at various levels, and taking practical measures for the implementation of joint projects in the trade, economic, industrial, agricultural, investment, transit, transport and tourism fields.