Georgian officials send condolences over deadly Istanbul explosion
The blast on Sunday killed six and left 81 injured in the Turkish capital. Photo: Reuters
Tweet 
Share
Top Georgian officials on Sunday sent their condolences over the deadly explosion in Istanbul that killed six and left 81 injured on a shopping street in the capital’s Taksim Square area.
In his tweet shortly after the incident considered a terrorist attack by Turkish authorities, prime minister Irakli Garibashvili sent his “deepest condolences” to the country and wished a “speedy recovery” to those injured in the blast.
On behalf of the Government & people of ????????, I convey our deepest condolences over Istanbul explosion to the people of Turkey, President @RTErdogan himself and the families of the victims. We wish speedy recovery to all injured and pray for ????????.
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) November 13, 2022
Georgian president Salome Zourabichvili and parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili said they were “horrified” by the explosion, adding their thoughts and prayers were with the Turkish people in this “difficult time”.
I am horrified by the explosion in Istanbul. My condolences to the families of the victims and my deepest sympathies to President @RTErdogan and the people of Türkiye.
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) November 13, 2022
The Turkish interior ministry has announced the arrest of the suspect - reportedly a woman - who had detonated the device.
Authorities also said 21 other individuals had been detained following the incident at the shopping thoroughfare.
My heartfelt condolences to the Turkish people for the tragedy in #Istanbul. Our deepest sympathies to friends & families of the victims. We wish a quick recovery to all injured. Our thoughts & prayers are with you during this difficult time. @MustafaSentop
— Shalva Papuashvili ???????? (@shpapuashvili) November 14, 2022
Officials said separatists from the Kurdistan Workers Party and the Democratic Union Party were “most likely” behind the attack.
Regional peace and stability, as well as the signing of an updated cooperation agreement between Georgia and Turkey were two of the items on the agenda of Mustafa Sentop, the Speaker of The Grand National Assembly of Turkey, and Georgian officials hosting him on Monday.
Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ilia Darchiashvili on Thursday will pay an official visit to Turkey, the Georgian foreign office said.
Georgia and Turkey will amend the free trade agreement between the two states to make it easier for businesses to sell their services to the two markets, Genadi Arveladze, the Deputy Economy Minister of Georgia, said following his meeting with Mustafa Tuzcu, the Deputy Minister of Trade of Turkey.
Georgia and Turkey on Wednesday signed an agreement on road transport traffic that defines all current issues in the field, the Georgian Economy Ministry announced.