PM says 2023 China visit of “historic significance”
Noting China's status as the world's second-largest economy, the PM emphasised Georgia's interest in fostering trade and economic ties.Photo: Government press office
Tweet 
Share
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday hailed his visit to China in July as being of “historic significance” in comments while presenting the annual report of his Government's work.
The PM stressed the visit, initiated by the Chinese President, had led to the signing of a joint declaration elevating bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership.
Noting China's status as the world's second-largest economy, he emphasised Georgia's interest in fostering trade and economic ties, exemplified by the decision to implement a visa-free regime for Chinese citizens.
The PM also highlighted “successful visits” to Central Asian countries, including “productive tours” and cooperation development documents signed with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, while also noting “dynamic relations” with countries of the Middle East and Persian Gulf region and “fruitful meetings” in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel.
He also stressed the importance of the economic cooperation agreement with the UAE and the signing of a free trade agreement earlier this year that he said provided “new opportunities” for Georgian businesses.
The PM also made a mention of the Jordanian Government’s gifting of a 4,000-square-metre plot of land near Jordan River to Georgia last year, noting his office had launched plans to build a Georgian culture centre in the location in 2024. He said the development marked a “return to the holy land” for Georgia “after 300 years”.
Zhou Qian, the Chinese Ambassador to Georgia, on Monday highlighted steps taken within the strategic partnership between the two countries by saying China was “always committed” to assisting Georgia in improving social and economic growth.
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.
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.
A Georgian cultural centre will be launched on a plot of land gifted by Jordan’s royal family to the country, with the location near the baptism site of Jesus Christ marking a “return to the holy land”, prime minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Wednesday.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday highlighted the country’s “advanced positions” among European Union member and candidate states in international rankings and indexes in his end-of-year report summarising the work of his Government.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Wednesday criticised negative statements by the domestic opponents of the ruling Georgian Dream party on the signing of a strategic partnership between Georgia and China earlier this year as “baseless and often irresponsible ”.
A delegation of the ruling Georgian Dream party led by its Chair Irakli Kobakhidze will on Monday hold “high-level” meetings in China, the party's press office said.
Irakli Chikovani, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday highlighted the ongoing visit of the party’s delegation to China as having a “great role” in the development of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Mikheil Sarjveladze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's Committee on Human Rights, on Monday said the ongoing visit of the ruling party’s delegation to China was “in the vital interests” of the country, in comments rejecting criticism by a part of the domestic opposition on the development.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday said the country’s cooperation with China was “extremely important”, and further pointed out the ties could “bring very tangible results for our country and citizens”.