Led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the Armenian government delegation arrived in Georgia on an official visit. Georgian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mikheil Janelidze welcomed the Prime Minister of Armenia at the Tbilisi International Airport.

Nikol Pashinyan and his delegation headed for the Office of Georgian Government where a face-to-face interview will be held between Nikol Pashinyan and Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, followed by the two delegations’ extended meeting.

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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is paying an official visit to Georgia, called at Heroes Square in Tbilisi to lay a wreath at the Memorial of Heroes, after which he headed for the Office of Government. Following the official welcoming ceremony, Nikol Pashinyan and Giorgi Kvirikashvili held tete-a-tete talks, at which the Prime Ministers of Armenia and Georgia discussed issues on the agenda of bilateral relations and the prospects of their development.

The Prime Ministers’ private meeting was followed by the extended meeting of the official delegations of the two countries. Greeting his Armenian counterpart, the Prime Minister of Georgia once again congratulated Nikol Pashinyan on his election as Prime Minister, as well as on the 100th Anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia.

The Georgian Premier stressed that his government is prepared to take steps to expand the ongoing cooperation between the two countries and give a strong impetus to Armenian-Georgian relations. “We closely followed the recent developments in Armenia. The friendly people of Armenia displayed solidarity, which resulted in a peaceful transfer of power through the democratic way. I want to assure you that we will do everything to add momentum to our relations and tap the full potential. We have a good chance to start a new round of relationships between the two friendly nations,” the Georgian Prime Minister said.

Thankful for the warm reception, Nikol Pashinyan noted that friendship between Armenia and Georgia is deeply rooted in history. “It is no mere coincidence that my first official foreign trip is being made to brotherly Georgia, with which we have close historic ties, long-standing friendship and mutual respect. I am convinced that as anchored on warm relationships between our two countries and peoples, the interstate dialogue will help build a solid foundation for our cooperation,” the Prime Minister of Armenia said, noting the two heads of government shared the same views as regards bilateral relations.

Nikol Pashinyan congratulated Giorgi Kvirikashvili on the 100th anniversary of reinstatement of Georgia’s sovereign statehood. Prime Minister Pashinyan availed himself of the opportunity to evoke Armenia’s political developments, noting that the non-violent change of power was the manifestation of our people’s will and had no geopolitical implications. The Prime Minister emphasized that the further development of relations with Georgia will continue to be one of the priorities of Armenia’s foreign policy. In this context, Nikol Pashinyan assured that the new Armenian government is keen to reinvigorate the cooperation with Georgia. The Premier expressed conviction that his visit will help the sides outline new opportunities and directions of cooperation for the sake of both States and peoples.

“I would like to underscore that we are prepared to discuss issues of bilateral relations in a sincere and friendly atmosphere as becomes the two neighboring and brotherly nations. I am confident that we will continue to be guided by the principle that there are no unsolvable issues between us,” Nikol Pashinyan pointed out.

The Prime Ministers of Armenia and Georgia discussed a wide range of issues related to Armenian-Georgian cooperation in the spheres of trade and economy, energy, transport, agriculture, tourism and culture. The parties expressed satisfaction with the current level of cooperation in the energy sector, highlighting the prospects for further development of transport communications.

Nikol Pashinyan and Giorgi Kvirikashvili expressed conviction that economic cooperation could boost bilateral trade turnover. They stressed the importance of the free economic zone of Meghri and the possibility of using it as a platform on the way to third-country markets.

Nikol Pashinyan and Giorgi Kvirikashvili touched upon regional issues and prioritized the maintenance of security and stability in the region.

Coming to historical-cultural ties, the interlocutors highlighted the preservation and conservation of the two peoples’ rich cultural heritage.

In conclusion, Nikol Pashinyan invited Giorgi Kvirikashvili to visit Armenia at his convenience.

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Following the private talks held between the Prime Ministers of Armenia and Georgia, and the extended meeting between the official delegations, Nikol Pashinyan and Giorgi Kvirikashvili made joint statements for the press on the results of their talks at the Georgian government’s press center.

Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili - Dear Prime Minister, Dear Nikol, Ladies and Gentlemen, first of all, I would like to welcome our dear guest, the Prime Minister of Armenia who is in Georgia for his first official visit.

It is symbolic that the Armenian Prime Minister’s first official visit to Georgia comes just as we are celebrating the centennial anniversary of the independence of our republics.

For both countries, that historical event happened in our city Tbilisi. Taking the opportunity, I once again congratulate our two friendly nations on the 100th anniversary of declaration of independence.

Over 100 years ago, the Georgian and Armenian peoples, despite many challenges and complexities, displayed a particular fighting spirit and enthusiasm as they embraced the democratic path of development.

Georgia and Armenia are connected with each other with centuries-old good-neighborly traditions that reflect today’s partnership. By restoring independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union, we were able to develop mutually beneficial cooperation based on mutual trust. Armenia's stability and democratic development are crucial for Georgia, and this is why Georgia has been closely following the recent developments in friendly Armenia when the Armenian nation showed its commitment to unity and democratic principles throughout the world. I take this occasion and congratulate my dear guest on being elected in this responsible position.

Dear Prime Minister, I once again reaffirm the Georgian government’s commitment and my personal commitment to further effective cooperation. Today we have discussed all the main directions, highlighted our aspiration to having an extensive political dialogue. We also touched upon issues related to the development of trade and economic relations, highlighted the cooperation in transport, energy, tourism, culture, education and information technologies. Despite the existing intensive cooperation, there is a great potential for cooperation in many areas.

During the meeting, we also discussed issues related to cooperation within international and regional organizations. We touched upon the challenges faced in the region and underscored the importance of regional peace and security. We touched upon the deepening of relationships between individual government departments, as well as highlighted the activities of the Commission on Economic Cooperation and the establishment of new working groups.

In the near future, a session of the aforementioned commission will be held, and we have highlighted the main directions on which the commission should focus. We came to terms with the principles on which the future work agenda will be built.

Within the framework of his trip, the Armenian Prime Minister will also visit southern Georgia where he will meet with the local population. The Georgian citizens of Armenian descent are engaged in our statehood building effort, which is a clear evidence of multinational Georgia’s unity. The population of Georgia, regardless of nationality, serves the common goal - strengthening of Georgia and the development of regional relations.

In conclusion, I would like to once again thank my counterpart for this visit, outspoken talks and express my readiness for future cooperation.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan - Honorable Prime Minister, distinguished representatives of mass media, ladies and gentlemen; it is a great honor for me to make my first official visit to Georgia because the further development of relations with Georgia has a special place and special significance on our political agenda. In order to develop the Armenian-Georgian relations, no matter what I used to do at a specific point of time, whether as a journalist, as an MP, and now as Prime Minister, I have done everything to contribute to the development of the Armenian-Georgian relations and I feel that we are well poised to fulfill if not all, at least many wishes.

I want to congratulate once again the Georgian State, the people and the Prime Minister of Georgia on the 100th anniversary of statehood restoration. We, too, celebrated the 100th anniversary of the First Republic, and these holidays are really interconnected. The proclamation of the Republic of Armenia took place in Tbilisi and this fact also shows that the Armenian-Georgian relations are very deep and they have a political, historical, human and cultural context and these relations should further develop. We agreed to take very intensive and practical steps in that direction.

In general, I think that the Armenian-Georgian relations have always boasted a positive atmosphere. I hope that we will make this positive atmosphere more specifically in the economic sphere, in the sphere of political relations, in the field of bilateral relations, and I hope that thanks to the work of the Intergovernmental Commission, we will be able to record specific results in many areas of bilateral cooperation in the near future.

We of course discussed the need for a long-term vision in our relationship, because I am convinced that we have long-term and short-term common interests, and we must do everything not only to solve current problems, but also think of long-term challenges in order to be able to evaluate today’s realities more accurately, assess the scale and build up today’s actions on the logic of future and long-term cooperation.

We have a number of joint projects with Georgia and we, of course, will work actively to implement these projects in a timely and high quality. We must work on having new joint projects. And we are convinced that there are no problems in the Armenian-Georgian relations in general, because the most important factor is the desire and desire to solve problems. And our delegation arrived in Tbilisi to confirm our readiness to discuss all issues in the atmosphere of brotherhood and friendship, and we are convinced that this atmosphere and attitude can lead to serious developments in our relations. I am happy to note that the Government of Georgia and the Prime Minister personally have the same mood as regards the furtherance of our relations.

And, in fact, we are at a breakthrough in the development of our relations, where there is a great potential, a great deal of momentum and a great deal of energy in our bilateral relations in terms of promoting them in all directions and at all levels. Of course, the stability of the region is the most important issue. We exchanged views on regional stability, peace and security issues with the Prime Minister. And here we also need to combine our efforts because the regional stability is important for all of us as it is the most important precondition for further developments.

I want to assure you that we were really impressed with the interest shown by the Georgian public to the non-violent, velvet and popular revolution in Armenia in April and May. We keep warm our memories of Georgian journalists’ active participation and cooperation.

I can see here some familiar figures who have become very close to us and it is quite strange that we have seen little in the past fifteen or twenty days, and I am glad that there is such an opportunity, but I hope this mutual interest will be maintained not only during large-scale political events. I think, in most cases we are not aware of the important events inside our countries and the media field we also have a lot to do to get to know each other better and to be well informed about the processes taking place in our countries, and in general we are very close, but I think to the extent that our countries, our peoples, better understand one another in terms of political processes and more they need to be closer.

Certainly, we have come here today to open a specific perspective and address specific problems. And I am convinced that there will be new serious developments in our relations, and these new developments will be in the best interests of the Republic of Armenia and Georgia because we, as sovereign States, are obliged to serve our national interests first of all.

I am convinced that our governments have enough will, sufficient skills to make this cooperation very effective, at a level that citizens of the Republic of Armenia and Georgia could feel it in their everyday life, rapprochement, deepening our friendship and feeling the positive atmosphere It was confirmed during our talks.

Thank you for this warm reception. I am convinced that we will spend a very interesting and meaningful time in Tbilisi, and of course, Mr. Prime Minister, I hope to see you soon in Yerevan, so that this atmosphere might allow us to keep up this mood. I am also glad to note that Georgia will provide a high level of participation at the Francophone Summit to be held in autumn in Yerevan.

Of course, we will have many opportunities to communicate, but I think we should not be content with it, and we should always look for new opportunities to see each other, smile to each other and discuss issues with each other and solve all issues in an atmosphere of friendship and brotherhood.

My best greetings to the fraternal people of Georgia!

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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan who is in Georgia on an official visit met today with Georgian Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze.

Mr. Kobakhidze welcomed the Prime Minister’s official visit to Georgia and expressed confidence that it would give fresh impetus to the further development of bilateral relations in different directions. The Speaker of the Georgian Parliament appreciated the ongoing cooperation between the two governments and parliaments, stressing that it might help consolidate and expand the ties of friendship between the Armenian and Georgian peoples.

The Prime Minister noted that his years-long service as Member of Parliament made him understand how important the role of Parliament is for the development of democratic principles. Nikol Pashinyan underscored that an important place in bilateral reserved to the inter-parliamentary dialogue. “Whereas Armenia has switched over to full-fledged parliamentary governance, inter-parliamentary cooperation is to be raised to a new qualitative level,” the Prime Minister pointed out.

The parties expressed confidence that the regular meetings between Armenian and Georgian parliamentarians may go a long way toward developing good-neighborly relations between the two countries.

Nikol Pashinyan and Irakli Kobakhidze emphasized that through intensive dialogue, Armenia and Georgia can address all outstanding issues, find new formats of partnership, as well as new opportunities for mutually beneficial projects and programs.

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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held private talks with Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili in the frame of his official visit to Georgia.

Greeting the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Giorgi Margvelashvili appreciated the results of the meeting between the governments of the two countries and went on to note that the issues and initiatives discussed will be a stimulus for the further development and strengthening of bilateral relations.

“I am glad to meet with the Prime Minister of Armenia. I hope your visit will give fresh impetus to Armenian-Georgian relations which have a centuries-old history,” the Georgian President said.

Nikol Pashinyan said he was glad to meet Presodent Margvelashvili within the framework of his official visit to Georgia and discuss the prospects of bilateral relations. “I am glad that my visit to Georgia comes amid drastic democratic developments in our country, and I am also convinced that democracy is of vital importance to our countries. Our peoples’ credo is based on love and solidarity in bilateral relations, and we will spare no effort to give them a new impetus,” Nikol Pashinyan said, confident that during the present meeting they would be able to outline new opportunities for the development of interstate cooperation.

Noting that several large-scale events will be held in Armenia later this year, the Premier said he looked forward to having another opportunity to meet Giorgi Margvelashvili in the framework of the 17th Francophone Summit to be held in Yerevan this fall.

Nikol Pashinyan and Giorgi Margvelashvili discussed a number of issues of Armenian-Georgian relations.

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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is in Georgia on an official visit, visited the Khojivank pantheon, where he laid flowers at the tombs of Hovhannes Tumanyan, Raffi and Gabriel Sundukyan in tribute of their memory. Then the Prime Minister left for St. Gevorg Church in Tbilisi where he was welcomed by Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, the Primate of Georgia Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and numerous representatives of the Armenian community. Nikol Pashinyan laid flowers at Sayat-Nova’s tomb and lit candles. Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan delivered a prayer of praise and wished Prime Minister Pashinyan's government strength and courage.

Nikol Pashinyan thanked the Georgian Armenians for their warm welcome and noted that he was happy to see them in high spirits. “The victory that our people recorded in Yerevan is yours; you are the full beneficiary of that victory because it happened in your homeland. We have felt your support; your good wishes got through to Republic Square, and the national enthusiasm that dominates the Armenian people has been forged by each of you, your willpower, your love and solidarity. The revolution that took place in Yerevan is called revolution of love and solidarity, and today I have come here with a message of love and solidarity. I want to tell you that I love all of you, all of you together and individually.

I am proud of you, I take pride in your will, I am proud to see you proud of being Armenian, proud of seeing the good relationship between Armenia and Georgia, proud of being convinced that the relations between our countries will gradually grow deeper and stronger, Armenians shall feel better in Georgia and Georgians in Armenia.

Today, the highest value that has the Armenian and Georgian people, the statehood and independence, we will defend our sovereignty; we will defend our homeland and our people’s right to be happy.

There can be no disappointment because we have served, are serving and will serve the Armenian people. I have said and I am stating now that our greatest mission is to become powder under our people’s feet so that they could stand firm upon us and bring new victories.

The Armenian people will never be defeated, because the Armenian nation is a people of victory, the Armenian nation is a people of pride, the Armenian nation is God’s people. And long live freedom, long live Georgia, long live the Republic of Armenia, long live the Armenian-Georgian brotherhood, long live our children who are going to be 5, 10 million,” Nikol Pashinyan said.

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Attended by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, a memorial plaque dedicated to the 100th anniversary of declaration of independence of the First Armenian Republic was unveiled at the Youth House of Tbilisi. Afterwards Nikol Pashinyan and Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili attended the reception dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia at the Tbilisi City Council building. Members of the governments of the two countries, parliamentarians, public, political and cultural figures participated in the event.

Addressing the attendees, Prime Minister Pashinyan said: “Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is truly absorbed by the energy of our peoples’ shared history. Our peoples are rooted in each other, and these roots are so strong that we have a commitment to building history together for a vigorous, happy and free future. The history of the creation of the First Republic of Armenia is the true history of spirit’s victory, because in the political activity, in our daily life we face the following problem: there is a way of thinking that tries to count, assess and weigh, but there is another model of thinking based on our feelings instead. Our history, the history of the Armenian people, the history of mankind has shown that spirit is heavier than matter, love prevails over counting, and sincerity is weightier than dexterity.

And this is the primary formula in our people’s living because we have been able to win where we seemed to have no chance and, unfortunately, we have often been able to lose where we did not have a chance to be defeated.

Our First Republic, I think, is, first and foremost, the triumph of the spirit, and the spirit of that victory has inspired us for thousands of years in the whirlwind of disasters, genocides and wars. And today’s Armenia is, first of all, a state of spirit, love, solidarity and ideology, which should be fostered forever, because what is material can be broken down, destroyed, annihilated, while what is associated with the spirit, with the mind is indefinable, unbreakable, undefeatable. And I want this spirit, and reckoning or bargaining, to lie at the heart of Armenian-Georgian relations. And we must build relations with our next-door neighbor and fraternal country on that very spirit.

Our combined spirit must win, and our peoples will record new victories in their neighborhood and create an atmosphere of shared happiness in a peaceful, free and happy region. And this region should become such.

I congratulate you on the 100th anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia. I congratulate the fraternal Georgian people and its government on the 100th anniversary of independence and statehood restoration.

I congratulate all of us who have finally reached this haven after going through many ordeals during our long history. And, as the saying goes, our fate is now in our hands, and we will not let it slip; we will not miss this opportunity because we have won, and we will win in the future.

And therefore,
Long live freedom!
Long live the Armenian-Georgian friendship,
Long live Georgia,
Long live the Republic of Armenia,
We and our children are now living and should live in a free and happy homeland.”

In turn, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili congratulated Nikol Pashinyan and the Armenian people on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian First Republic. “It is symbolic that 100 years ago Georgia and Armenia simultaneously proclaimed independence. The opening of a memorial plaque in Tbilisi today marks the origins we come from.

The Armenian people expressed trust in the principles of democracy, for which they stood up. Following the recent developments in Armenia, the international community welcomed the Armenian people’s wisdom and the ability to peacefully resolve internal political issues.

Everything points to the fact that the changes that have taken place in Armenia shall become a solid foundation for Armenia’s further development. Armenia’s development and stability are extremely important for our country in both bilateral and regional terms.

I think that this visit is a vivid proof of our partnership and good neighborly relations. Once again, I want to assure that the Georgian government and I are ready for fruitful cooperation.

Earlier today, my Armenian counterpart visited the Armenian Church in Tbilisi, the Pantheon. Tomorrow he will call at Hovhannes Tumanyan House scientific-cultural center. Hovhannes Tumanyan’s contribution to Armenian-Georgian friendship is invaluable.

As Tumanyan has put it, the Armenian and Georgian peoples are historically linked to one another. We can state now that Tumanyan’s life has been a symbol of Armenian-Georgian friendship. The friendship reflected in art and literature is our distinctive feature on the map of world culture.

Indeed, our bilateral relations are not only based on centuries-old history: we have been able to build up confidence-based interstate relations over the past 25 years. During these years, our bilateral relations have been strengthened in economy, culture and other spheres.

We are not going to stop there. The visit of the Armenian Prime Minister will give new impetus to the development of our relations to the benefit of our countries and peoples.”

Later, on behalf of Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Mrs. Maya Tsinadze, an official dinner was given in honor of RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Mrs. Anna Hakobyan.
 

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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is paying an official visit to Georgia, met with Georgian and Armenian businessmen. The Prime Minister first had working lunch with Georgian entrepreneurs, then with Georgia-based Armenian business people.

 
The Premier briefed them on his government’s economic priorities, including simplification of tax and customs administration, anticorruption measures, as well as the steps aimed at improving the business environment in general, which the Executive is going to implement in the near future.

Nikol Pashinyan stressed the need for continued development of Armenian-Georgian business ties. The Prime Minister underscored that his government is keen to boost the trade turnover between the two countries, implement joint investment programs and, in this respect, is prepared to take steps with a view to bringing more Georgian capital in our country.

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On the sidelines of his official visit to Georgia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his spouse Anna Hakobyan visited today Hovhannes Tumanyan House scientific-cultural center in Tbilisi.

Accompanied by Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, Primate of Georgia Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church, and Gissanneh Hovsepyan, Director of the Scientific and Cultural Center, the Premier and his spouse toured the center in a bid to get acquainted with the exhibits on display. They took the opportunity to talk to the representatives of the Armenian community.

The Prime Minister also watched a puppet performance, entitled Barkendan, after which he was seen to the southern balcony where Hovhannes Tumanyan liked to have a rest and host guests. In conclusion, the Premier was invited to a tea party in accordance with the established tradition.

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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his spouse Anna Hakobyan, who are in Georgia on an official visit, have been hosted by Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness Ilia II.

The Catholicos of All Georgia welcomed the Prime Minister’s official visit to Georgia and expressed confidence that it would promote the further development and strengthening of ties between the two friendly nations.

“On behalf of the Georgian Orthodox Church, I warmly congratulate you on your election. The Georgian and Armenian peoples boast centuries-old brotherhood and friendship: when it was difficult for Armenia, it was also difficult for Georgia and vice versa. We live in difficult times, and under these conditions, our countries need to make joint efforts to cope with the emerging challenges. I am glad to see you in Georgia,” the Catholicos of All Georgia said.

Prime Minister Pashinyan thanked Ilya II for the reception and conveyed deep respect and warm greetings on behalf of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The Head of Government congratulated Ilya II on the 40th anniversary of his tenure.

“I know that the Georgian nation is going to celebrate this jubilee. You enjoy high reputation not only in Georgia, but also in Armenia and in the world. I wish you every success during your years in tenure,” Nikol Pashinyan said. The head of the Armenian government noted that nowadays a key challenge is the preservation and development of identity and traditions.

“We attach great importance to relations with Georgia and our common values. I am confident that the political changes in Armenia and my official visit will upgrade the Armenian-Georgian cooperation to a new level in all spheres. We have had fruitful talks with the head of the Georgian government, discussed several issues in a friendly atmosphere,” Nikol Pashinian underscored.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the attention shown by Georgian authorities and the Georgian Church to the Armenian community. The interlocutors attached importance to the role of the Armenian Apostolic and Georgian Orthodox Churches in the life of the Armenian and Georgian peoples.

At the end of the meeting, the members of the Armenian delegation listened to a piece of spiritual music authored by Ilya II.
 

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Wrapping up his official visit to Georgia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited Georgia’s Samtskhe-Javakheti region. The head of the Armenian government called at the towns of Poka, Gandza, Satkha, Ninotsminda and Akhalkalaki. Nikol Pashinyan met with representatives of the local Armenian community, visited the Church of the Holy Cross in Akhalkalaki and lit candles.

During the meetings held on the spot, the Prime Minister touched upon the outcome of his talks, the prospects of Armenian-Georgian relations, as well as on the inner political situation in Armenia. Georgian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mikheil Janelidze attended the Premier’s meeting with the local Armenian community in Akhalkalaki.

“I am glad for the atmosphere settled here. I was greatly surprised to hear the applause that sounded in the hall during the Vice Prime Minister’s remarks, and the applause was really sincere.

This is my first official visit in the capacity of Prime Minister, and you may know that I became Prime Minister as a result of a political process powered by the people’s will and called a revolution of love and solidarity. My official visit brings to the State and people of Georgia a message of love and solidarity, and I am extremely happy to see that the message has reached the target, and I consider that the atmosphere in this hall is the most important expression of that message.

During my meetings with the Prime Minister and the President of Georgia, we shortly put the official protocol papers aside and proceeded to outspoken and sincere talks, because I think that documents, contracts are not more important than the opportunity to face each other and understand what is actually reflected in your interlocutor’s eyes.

Yes, I have come with a message of love and solidarity. I have come to look straight in the eyes of Georgia’s top government leaders in order to guess their meaning. And I realized that we are firmly determined to upgrade our centuries-old fraternal relationship to a completely new level, open up a new chapter in our relations and boost our friendship and brotherhood with new energy.

I fully concur with Mr. Vice Prime Minister’s statement that Georgia’s power is Armenia’s power, and vice versa. As seen from that perspective, our task becomes clear, namely to support each other, empower our States and peoples, strengthen our faith and our confidence in the common future.

Based on the results of my visit, I can state that Georgia’s incumbent authorities are friendly to Armenia; they are a friendly government for the Armenian people. And I have no doubt that the Georgian government will do its utmost to promote Armenia’s empowerment, prosperity and happiness, just as we will do our utmost for the strengthening of the Georgian State and the happiness of the Georgian people.

I want to make an observation: you may know that today our most important priority is to stop the tide of emigration from Armenia and, on the contrary, usher in the era of immigration, that is, all those who have left the country should return to their homeland. We now are pursuing such a policy in the Republic of Armenia,” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated during the meeting with the Armenian community.

In his welcoming speech, Georgian Deputy Prime Minister Mikheil Janelidze wished Nikol Pashinyan every success in his endeavors, noting that the Georgian government will soon announce a tender for the Ninotsminda-Armenia highway reconstruction project.

Deputy Prime Minister Janelidze emphasized that new infrastructure projects will be launched in Samtskhe-Javakheti region to provide new jobs and develop the region.

“Despite our achievements, yesterday’s discussions revealed that we have a lot to do for the progress of our countries, for the deepening of bilateral relations, and we will do our best to build on the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two neighboring nations.

We are building the future Georgia, while our neighboring Armenia is building a modern Armenia under the leadership of Mr. Pashinyan. Together and side by side, we will build highly developed Georgia and Armenia that will be prepared to defy future challenges to the benefit and for the welfare of our two countries,” Georgian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mikheil Janelidze said.