Margvelashvili hosts Turkish counterpart at Presidential Palace

Turkey supports Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations and the country’s territorial unity and sovereignty.

During his first official visit to Georgia, Turkish President Abdullah Gul made these comments at a meeting with his Georgian counterpart Giorgi Margvelashvili at the Presidential Palace in Avlabari today.

Gul arrived in Tbilisi three days ago to attend the Tbilisi Summit 2014 and has continued his visit as a state visit.

At a joint press conference following the meeting of the two leaders, Margvelashvili said the sides agreed the interests of religious groups and cultural heritage was and would equally be protected in Georgia and Turkey.

He also said the Presidents "gratefully stressed” that Turkey supported Georgia "in the most important issues” – the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"The Turkish side has a clear and correct policy with regard to the non-recognition policy as well,” Margvelashvili noted.

The sides discussed economic, infrastructure and trans-national projects that are being carried out together with Azerbaijan.

"These are gas pipelines, oil pipelines, and railway which we are developing together, and yesterday an additional incentive was given to strengthen these projects in European and Asian directions,” the Georgian President said.

Margvelashvili and Gul pointed out business cooperation between Georgia and Turkey was getting "more and more interesting in form and content”.

"Georgia looks at the unity of a very strong state, which is a member of NATO and has serious economic potential, with great hope and interest," Margvelashvili said.

As well as speaking about the economic partnership between the two countries, the Turkish President emphasized the importance of protecting cultural heritage sites and freedom of religion.

"Our countries have very rich cultural heritage. It is crucially important for both of us to protect this heritage, restore and preserve it,” Gul said.

After the meeting, Gul visited the Fallen Soldiers memorial and paid tribute to the Georgian heroes who died while serving their country and fighting to the country’s unity.

After attending more official meetings this afternoon, the Turkish President will leave Georgia this evening.