Georgian PM headed to earthquake-affected Antakya as part of Turkey visit

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday continued his working trip to Turkey by heading to the city of Antakya in Hatay Province, affected by the devastating earthquake of February 6 that killed more than 42,000 people.

The Government Administration said Garibashvili, accompanied by a Georgian Government delegation, would visit the city and meet Georgian rescuers working as part of the international relief efforts that have followed the disaster.

Photo: PM's press office

Launched on Thursday, the PM’s visit to Turkey involved a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, where Garibashvili reaffirmed Georgia’s “solidarity and strong support” to the country in the aftermath of the earthquake.

The meeting also highlighted the involvement of the Georgian professionals dispatched to Turkey to help with the search and rescue efforts, as well as the humanitarian aid provided by the Georgian Government.

Erdoğan thanked Garibashvili for the “immediate assistance” provided to the affected areas of his country in a “difficult time”.