Georgian PM highlights strategic partnership between Georgia, China
Garibashvili also added that his Government “fully” supported the Chinese President's initiatives. Photo: Government Administration
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili highlighted the strategic partnership between Georgia and China by calling it a “very important” decision that would yield results for both countries.
In an interview with China Central Television during his visit to the country last month, aired today, Garibashvili noted he had a “very successful and fruitful” meeting with the Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“This was my first meeting with him. Once again, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to him for inviting me to China. The decision to elevate the existing relationship to the next level [of strategic partnership], which we made together, was especially welcome”, Garibashvili said.
So, Georgia and China have become strategic partners, which I believe will be a very important decision and both countries will benefit from this very important, I would say historic decision. I am really satisfied, I am really pleased that we made this happen.Today I am really proud to say that now Georgia and China are strategic partners. I am going back home with some concrete tangible results”, he continued.
The Government head also called President Xi an “exemplary leader".
He is a visionary, wise man, who did great things for his great nation, doing very ambitious projects and reforms. He is an inspirational leader. During our bilateral meeting we also spoke about the potential of sharing experience of governance and other initiatives. I am very interested in strengthening our bilateral ties, relationship and friendship and trust with the Chinese Government and President Xi”, he noted.
Garibashvili also added that his Government “fully” supported the Chinese President's initiatives.
I'll tell you why. [Because] all his initiatives are pro-peace, pro-progress, modernisation, prosperity and pro-development. This is great. This is what the world needs today. The world today needs peace, stability and prosperity for all the nations. President Xi’s initiatives are really outstanding and I think these initiatives will inspire many nations. [...] I would also like to inform you that we were probably one of the first countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative”, Garibashvili said.
He also noted the founding of the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum in 2015, reflecting Georgia’s role in the old Silk Road, and noted the development was a “very important opportunity" for the country.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday announced establishment of a strategic partnership with Georgia and a “new stage” in bilateral ties between the two countries in his meeting with the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on the sidelines of the Summer World University Games in Chengdu.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday hailed efforts by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili to promote bilateral ties during both terms in office in a Beijing meeting.
Georgian and Chinese Governments on Monday shared their “commitment” to expand cooperation in political, economic and cultural fields, strengthen collaboration in international affairs and bilateral relations, and safeguard regional and world peace, stability and development together in a joint statement on establishing a strategic partnership.
Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday highlighted “important messages and statements” made during the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s ongoing visit to China, and noted the trip would “yield specific results, with the interests of our country being taken into account”.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili told China Central Televsion in an interview aired today he was leading a "pro-peace Government" that was "seeking peace, stability and prosperity for Georgian citizens".
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili highlighted the “very symbolic” gesture from Chinese authorities in their unveiling of a bust paying homage to the 12th century Georgian national poet Shota Rustaveli at the Beijing University of Language and Culture during his visit to the country last month.
Zhou Qian, the Chinese Ambassador to Georgia, on Wednesday reiterated the support of his Government for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday announced visa-free travel to the country for Chinese citizens, citing attracting visitors and mutual economic investments among “main interests” behind the decision.
Levan Davitashvili, the Georgian Economy Minister, on Monday said the Chinese citizens would be able to stay in the country for 30 days without a visa requirement, following Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s announcement earlier during the day about the Government’s intention to introduce visa-free travel with the country.
Maia Omiadze, the head of the Georgian National Tourism Administration, said the body was “actively” planning to hold promotional campaigns to increase tourist flows from China after Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday announced visa-free travel to the country for Chinese citizens.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Tuesday claimed an “anti-Chinese campaign” being organised by “some domestic political forces” as an “attempt to establish Sinophobia in the public”.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Tuesday said the free trade agreement between Georgia and China had played a “crucial” role in ensuring “greater trade between our countries”.
Economic cooperation and prospects of deepening partnership between Georgia and China were discussed on Friday in a meeting between the Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili and Ling Ji, the Chinese Vice Minister and Deputy International Trade Representative.
Priority areas of economic cooperation were discussed on Monday in a meeting between Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili and Wang Wentao, the Chinese Minister of Commerce, the Georgian Ministry of Economy said.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Wednesday said the Government was paying “special attention” to strengthening the country's transit function.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Friday responded to claims by the domestic opposition on the Government’s recently signed strategic agreement with China hampering the country’s European integration by stressing the deal “in no way contradicts” Tbilisi’s foreign policy priorities.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Friday said Georgia had “proved itself as a reliable partner” for both the European Union and China.
Nikoloz Samkharadze, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Friday said the more strategic cooperation agreements the country signed with various governments, the better it was positioning itself to protect its "national interests".
The Georgian capital city of Tbilisi will host the fourth edition of the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, an event set to host thousands of representatives from 60 countries between October 26-27 “at a high level”, the Ministry of Economy on Thursday said.
Georgian Deputy Economy Minister Genadi Arveladze on Friday opened an organisational centre to help organise the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, an event set to host thousands of representatives from 60 countries later this month, “at a high level”.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Tuesday told the Georgian Public Broadcaster the country had a “dynamic, mutually beneficial” and “partnerly” relations with China.