YEREVAN (Armenpress)–The visiting Georgian defense minister David Tevzadze and members of the delegation he leads–met today with Armenian president Robert Kocharian. Kocharian’s press office said the meeting centered on Georgian-Armenian relationship.
The sides discussed Armenian-Georgian bilateral relations–focused on the issue of defense. Tevzadze said that a recent visit by the defense minister of Armenia Serge Sarkisian to Tbilisi was important to furthering cooperation between the neighboring states.
Discussing regional issues–both men’stressed the importance of economic cooperation among the countries of the South Caucuses–agreeing that such cooperation would attract foreign investment to the region.
Tevzadze conveyed to Kocharian a message from his counterpart Shevardnadze about the situation around the troubled Pankisi gorge.
Hovhanissian Meets with Geogian Defense Minister
On his three-day visit in Armenia–Georgian defense minister Tevzadze met on September 17 with the chairman of the Armenian National Assembly’s committee on defense–national security and internal affairs–and ARF Bureau member Vahan Hovhanissian.
The National Assembly’s press office reported that the two discussed the possibility and prospect of military cooperation between Armenia and Georgia. The sides also discussed cooperation within international structures such as the NATO Parliamentary Assembly–particularly about issues related to regional conflicts.
Attaching importance to regional stability–security and mutual support–both sides stated that the economic development of the region and creation of a favorable investment arena are necessary.
Referring to the situation around Pankisi Gorge and the recent statement of the president of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin–Hovhanissian expressed hope that the conflict would be settled peacefully.