Georgia and Armenia are vitally linked, says Georgian Parliament Speaker

The bond between Georgia and Armenia is extremely important and the two countries are dependent on each other to enforce security and stability in the region, says Georgian Parliament Speaker Davit Usupashvili.

The Government official met Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and said the relationship between Georgia and Armenia should be nurtured, and encourage individual and mutual growth.

He emphasized that while the two neighbouring countries had different future aspirations, Georgia and Armenia could learn from one another to strengthen trade and economic relationships.

"This is necessary to have smooth relations in a range of fields,” Usupashvili said.

Georgia aspired to merge with the European Union while Armenia desired to unite with the Russian, Belorussian and Kazakhstan Union.

"We understand the reasons which make bilateral relations more important [and] we agreed to work to improve trade-economic relations, which require special measures,” Usupashvili said.

The parties agreed to hold working visits at legislative level to allow the Georgian side to see the changes and benefits of Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Union in terms of its business climate, trade legislation. Similarly, the Armenian side will be able to observe the changes that will come once Georgia signs the Association Agreement (AA) with the EU on June 27.

"We shall mutually learn from the different paths [our countries have chosen]. We both understand that without each other we cannot maintain security and stability,” Usupashvili said.

The Armenian President met Usupashvili and Parliament members last night. Before that, President Sargsyan met Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili at the Presidential Palace.

The Armenian leader’s two-day official visit will end later today.