Georgian-Bulgarian high officials pledge to deepen relations
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Georgia and Bulgaria are deepening bilateral cooperation across a range of industries including trade and investment, transport, energy, environmental protection, agriculture, tourism and intellectual rights protection.
Today Georgia hosted the fifth Bulgarian-Georgian Intergovernmental Commission, which discussed trade and economic, and scientific and technical cooperation.
At the meeting officials from both countries signed several deals, agreed on topics where cooperation could happen and expressed interest in pursuing joint investment projects.
Georgia’s Economy Minister Dimitry Kumsishvili said Bulgaria was one of Georgia’s most important trade partners. In 2015 the two countries trade relations increased and total trade turnover exceeded $381 million USD.
The Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili added Bulgaria was the second largest export country for Georgia. He stated it was very important for Georgia to increase trade and transit relations with Bulgaria.
Deeping ties in the tourism sector was high on the meeting’s agenda. The Bulgarian side recognised Georgia’s tourism potential and said it was "advisable” to carry out direct flights between Georgia and Bulgaria.
The two nations also agreed to arrange talks between Georgian and Bulgarian investment agencies and sign collaboration agreements which would boost bilateral investment relations.
Meanwhile the Innovation and Technology Agency of Georgia’s Ministry of Economy and Bulgaria National Science Fund agreed of the importance of future cooperation, deepening relations between Georgian and Bulgarian scientists and implementing partner projects.
The officials also agreed to increase joint cooperation in the agricultural sector and share experiences learned in this regard.
Transport was another main topic discussed; the two countries’ railway companies signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to develop railway transport.
Focus was also on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, and both sides agreed to implement joint projects in the future.
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