The 14th session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Armenia and Georgia was held under the chairmanship of the Prime Ministers of Armenia and Georgia, Nikol Pashinyan and Irakli Kobakhidze.

First, a private meeting of the Prime Ministers of the two countries took place, during which the interlocutors discussed the topical issues of bilateral cooperation and touched upon issues of regional importance.

In his speech, Prime Minister Pashinyan noted:

“Honorable Prime Minister Kobakhidze,
Dear representatives of the Government of Georgia,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I warmly welcome you all to Yerevan, at the 14th session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Armenia and Georgia. I am glad to once again host my friend, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, and our colleagues from fraternal Georgia.

We have already had the opportunity to note that the sessions of the intergovernmental commission are an important platform for discussing the agenda of multifaceted and multilateral relations between Armenia and Georgia and outlining new perspectives and formats of cooperation.

I consider it especially important that within the framework of the work of this commission, specific tasks have been and are being discussed, clear decisions are made, agreements are reached that directly affect the relations between our countries and the well-being of our societies, and the strengthening of relations between them. I consider the joint declaration on the establishment of a strategic partnership between Armenia and Georgia, signed in Tbilisi within the framework of the previous session of the commission on January 26, 2024, a cornerstone document both in terms of Armenia-Georgia relations and in terms of ensuring stability and development in the entire region. This document not only reflects the high level of cooperation between our countries in legal terms, but also provides a broader practical opportunity to expand the existing cooperation in many areas without restrictions.
Our countries and societies share and complement numerous cultural traditions and valus, which our governments also consider their honorable duty to serve and enrich within the framework of this commission. Our joint work is anchored on the mutual interests, concerns and respect of Armenia and Georgia, the necessity of which has long been a common understanding.

Honorable Prime Minister,
Dear colleagues,

Looking at the history of cooperation between our countries already from the perspective of strategic partners, we note that independent Armenia and Georgia have a history of more than 30 years of cooperation. During these years, we have jointly recorded tangible achievements and overcome numerous challenges. However, I would also like to emphasize the enormous potential that exists for further enriching the relations between our countries.

This potential and the joint commitment to continue cooperation are based on very concrete political realities: Armenia and Georgia fully respect each other's territorial integrity, Armenia and Georgia, having a deep perception and mutual understanding of stability and peace in the South Caucasus, are committed to making practical efforts to achieve these goals in the region.

With the intention of adding something new to what has already been built, we concluded 2024, which we consider a productive year in terms of deepening Armenia-Georgia cooperation. However, the nature of our warm relations requires us never to be satisfied with what has been achieved and to jointly discover and overcome new horizons.

It is with this imperative that I am convinced that in 2025, thanks to the joint efforts of all of us, we will strive to bring to life new and ambitious programs in a wide variety of areas of mutual interest: from transport to communications, from energy and information technologies to security, from tourism and agriculture to environmental protection, healthcare, education, science, cultural cooperation, and the activation of people-to-people contacts.

Not being staisfied with what has been achieved, I consider it necessary to take joint steps to further facilitate the existing customs and border regulations, which will allow us to further increase the volume of transportation between the two countries. It is essential that the governments of our states work to further harmonize the existing legal framework and further facilitate the existing field for business contacts and cooperation.

Referring to bilateral trade turnover, which is considered one of the important indicators of economic cooperation, I must note that we have a certain decrease here. In January-November 2024, our trade turnover decreased somewhat according to our statistical data, because the methodologies of our statistics are also slightly different. But in any case, I hope that as a result of consistent work, it will be possible in the near future not only to return to previous volumes, but also to ensure progress, which is within the scope of our constant discussions.

In this context, we attach particular importance to the unblocking and full resumption of communication routes and economic infrastructure throughout the region, which must take place within the framework of full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders of all countries. As you know, in October 2023, in Tbilisi, I presented the “Crossroads of Peace” project of the Armenian government, for this very purpose. In our view, Georgia plays a key role in the economic development of the region. The “Crossroads of Peace” project has been developed taking this reality into account and has the potential to provide very concrete and tangible benefits for Georgia.

Although in 2024 was fraught with a number of regional and global challenges, but Armenia and Georgia were able to find coherent solutions in a rapidly changing political and economic environment, creating prerequisites for future succesս. Our cooperation, which has a strategic logic, is also expressed in the adoption of a more caring, attentive and supportive policy towards issues considered vital for each other in the current geopolitical situation, which, I am sure, will continue in the future.

Honorable Mr. Prime Minister,
Dear colleagues,

Once again welcoming you all and expressing my joy at hosting you, I would like to wish success in implementing all our mutually beneficial initiatives. I am confident that in the future, both sides will continue to make all necessary efforts to maintain and expand the high level of the existing multifaceted relations.

Thank you.”

In turn, Irakli Kobakhidze noted:

“It is a great honor for us to co-chair this council session, which is being held for the 14th time. These figures testify to the close cooperation that exists between us. I would like to note that we had a very interesting bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Armenia, we talked about many topics related to the contacts between our countries and regional and global developments. It is very important to maintain close partnership based on the common interests of our countries.

It is necessary to note the high, very high level of dialogue between our countries, cooperation at all levels, evidenced by our excellently ongoing cooperation. I am glad that this is yielding tangible results. Our countries have long-standing relations, based not only on the fact of geographical proximity, being neighbors, but also our friendly ties have very deep historical foundations. These are excellent friendly ties between the Armenian and Georgian peoples, ties of thousands of years, based on mutual respect between our Governments.

These relations have turned into a declaration of strategic partnership, which was signed last year, by which relations between Armenia and Georgia will be brought to a higher level, we will continue to deepen our political, economic ties in many directions. I am confident that this meeting will serve most effectively to strengthen and deepen the existing formats of cooperation, to deepen our cooperation and to discover new ways.

Georgia has always been ready to support regional stability and peace, which is a prerequisite for the development of our countries. We are ready to cooperate with our Armenian partners. Armenia and Georgia support each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, I am very grateful to you for your unwavering support to Georgia.

The Government of Georgia effectively continues to improve the business environment, the investment environment. I am very glad that Georgia is an interesting country for investments from Armenia. I must say that Armenian investments have increased by about 40 percent and I will do everything to make Georgia more attractive for doing business and investments. I must say that we have effective, clear mechanisms, conditions and a program for investors and will support more investors from your country.
We are very glad that Georgia remains an attractive destination for tourism for our friendly Armenia. About a million tourists from Armenia have visited our country. This is an impressive number for a small country. Tourism is becoming more and more important not only for economic development, tourism is one of the tools with which we can deepen ties between peoples, ties between our countries, which already have very strong historical roots, so we are ready to further improve tourist destinations and attract more tourists from Armenia.

We are doing our best to attract investors to our countries. Georgia and Armenia offer joint packages to travelers and we need to further improve our cooperation. These initiatives will help improve awareness of the countries, awareness of the region. In general, we confirm our readiness to further deepen ties in the economic and trade sectors. Our entire team is ready to do this and we hope to have very close cooperation with Armenia in this direction as well.”

During the session, issues related to the development of cooperation in various sectors of the economy were discussed. The progress of bilateral joint programs was discussed. Consistent steps aimed at promoting trade turnover, deepening ties in the areas of infrastructure, energy, transport, tourism, etc. were emphasized.

Nikol Pashinyan and Irakli Kobakhidze signed the minutes of the session.