‘Traditional Armenian-Georgian friendship gives us the possibility of great connections, which can promote our relations,” Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated during a joint press statement with his Georgian counterpart, Maka Botchorishvili, in Tbilisi.

According to him, the strategic partnership must deepen interconnectivity between the countries.

“Throughout the year, high-level and highest-level meetings have been taking place. Last month, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia was in Tbilisi, where he participated in the Silk Road Forum. The President of the Republic of Armenia will soon visit Georgia. Relations between our agencies are daily and encompass all spheres, from economics to security, from education to culture, and interpersonal relations, connections, and visits. So as not to repeat the spheres enumerated by my colleague, I shall pause on one direction which has great significance and demands greater attention: this is interconnectivity.

When I say interconnectivity, I mean both macro and micro levels. The opening of roads in the region between Armenia and Georgia, economic connections, interpersonal interconnectivity, and cooperation in business and other spheres. There is great demand for this interconnectivity, and it has great importance for the well-being of our citizens,” Armenia’s Foreign Minister declared.

According to him, each country in the South Caucasus region, and the region as a whole, which has great potential, must be interconnected and must strengthen connections with others.

“In this context, the Crossroads of Peace project is not new. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia presented this project in Georgia. The peace, which has been established between Armenia and Azerbaijan, under the President of the United States, will, we believe, promote the region’s development. Our region can truly become a crossroads.

The unblocking of infrastructure between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Trump Route on Armenian territory, based on the international development programme, territorial integrity, and various principles, gives us many opportunities for progress; peace will be established as a result,” Ararat Mirzoyan declared.

According to him, Europe and Central Asia will be connected to each other through the use of Georgia’s railway.

“Armenia’s vision is such that we have connections with the entire world. The enduring friendship between Armenia and Georgia provides us with a valuable opportunity to forge meaningful connections that can strengthen our relations. Through strategic partnerships, we should aim to deepen our interconnectivity.

Today, my colleague and I discussed this approach. I believe there is a mutual understanding that will benefit both sides. Naturally, we also discussed matters concerning business circles; we shall agree on this issue as well.

The connection between our peoples is also expressed in the sphere of culture, as holding cultural days in Armenia and Georgia is of great significance. Parallel to relations in various directions, it must be emphasised that there are relations between our agencies, between the foreign ministries.

We also spoke about relations with various countries. Next year, in spring, we will attend the European Political Community Summit. I want to express my gratitude to Maka Botchorishvili for deepening and advancing the strategic interconnection between Armenia and Georgia,” Ararat Mirzoyan declared.

The quotes are translated from simultaneous Armenian-Georgian interpretation.