Armenian President continues Tbilisi visit

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan is today continuing his Georgian visit and attending talks with Georgian authorities in Tbilisi aiming to further deepen the level of friendship and cooperation with its neighbour country.

After a working breakfast with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, the Armenian leader and wider delegation met various Georgian officials and discussed the two countries economic cooperation, particularly developing bilateral trade and tourism.

Vice Prime Minister and Economy Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili expressed satisfaction with the high level of active economic dialogue and highlighted the fact Georgia was interested in further developing its level of cooperation with Armenia.

The two parties touched upon a number of issues on economic cooperation agendas, which included discussing the possibility of setting up direct flights between Tbilisi and Yerevan, and Batumi and Yerevan.

Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze and the Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian signed a document that would foster cooperation in terms of tourism development.

 Georgian Foreign Minister and his Armenian counterpart in Tbilisi on June 18, 2014. Photo by Georgian MFA

Latest figures showed Armenia was one of the top three countries by number of visitors to Georgia and the numbers of Armenian tourists who visit Georgia annually make up more than 20 percent of all international guests to Georgia.

Last year 1.3 million Armenian visitors spent time in Georgia. This accounted for approximately 23 percent of total international arrivals.

"Travel and tourism is one of the largest and fastest growing service industries globally and I believe Georgia-Armenia’s cooperation in tourism will boost visitor number between the countries,” Panjikidze said.

Earlier today Armenian and Russian media reported Armenia "wanted to restore the Tbilisi-Moscow railway line,” and quoted a comment the Armenian President made in an interview with a local TV channel.

President Sargsyan said there were "no serious talks” about it yet however restoration of the Tbilisi-Sukhumi-Moscow railway line was of vital importance for Armenia.

"Opening of the railway line is not only dependent on Armenia and Russia. Therefore, we are making efforts in this regard,” he emphasized.

Today the Georgian side denied there had been talks about this issue.