Gharibashvili visits Israel
By Tatia Megeneishvili
Wednesday, January 29
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili paid a two-day visit to Israel on January 27-28 On the second day of his visit, Garibashvili met with the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Georgian PM said that the dialogue with his Israeli counterpart focused on the countries’ mutual relationship, as well as topics concerning regional and international security.
Garibashvili said the first session of the Joint Economical Commission was also held. Two documents have been signed aimed at supporting trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
“We are trying to establish favorable conditions for furthering bilateral trade relations around the world. Accordingly, we attach particular importance to the negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement between Georgia and the State of Israel," Garibashvili stated.
The Georgian PM also met with the President of Israel Shimon Peres. During the meeting, the sides reviewed the existing cooperative relations between Israel and Georgia, and mentioned their readiness for further deepening of these relations. Particular emphasis was placed on the great friendship between the Georgian and Jewish people that developed over the centuries.
Peres expressed his satisfaction about the progress of the Georgia-Israel Intergovernmental Joint Economic Commission and expressed his hope that the commission will be another forward step in the deepening of Georgian-Israeli economic, cultural and trade relations.
On the first day of his visit, PM Garibashvili met with Minister of Interior Affairs of Israel Gideon Sa'ar. The parties discussed cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of the two countries. They expressed their desire to promote cooperation further.
The Georgian delegation also attended a working supper with a group of influential businessmen. It was decided that the Israeli business leaders would soon pay a visit to Georgia. The group expressed their readiness to assess the Georgian investment market, shared their desire to boost relations and talked of the potential for further cooperation between the two nations.
The Georgian delegation was led by the Prime Minister and included Minister of Foreign Affairs Maia Panjikidze, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Minister of Agriculture Shalva Pipia, the head of the Co-Investment Foundation Giorgi Bachiashvili and the head of the Investment Agency Giorgi Pertaia
During his visit to Israel, the Prime Minister of Georgia, together with the members of the Georgian delegation, visited Jerusalem's Old City and the Wailing Wall. He also visited the Alley of Jerusalem Nations, where he participated in a symbolic tree planting ceremony.
