YEREVAN (Armenpress)–Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian received on Thursday Georgia’s National Security Council Secretary Tedo Japaridze.
According to the Armenian government’s press office–the sides agreed that Armenian-Georgian relations are progressing normally–though relations between the two countries are still far from desired levels. Recent meetings of the presidents of the two countries and communication between the representatives of the two governmen’s have–nevertheless–provided a new impetus to the development of bilateral relations.
Discussing security issues–Margarian and Japaridze stressed that present security concerns involve not only the military arena–but also the economic sector–and found it odd that though the two countries cooperate within the framework of regional programs–Armenia and Georgia do not have a joint economic program. Japaridze suggested establishing joint enterprises involving small businesses.
Margarian welcomed Georgia’s readiness for economic cooperation focusing on transport and energy sectors. He emphasized Armenia’s readiness to participate in a program to develop the predominantly Armenian populated southern Georgian province of Javakhk that has been economically neglected for decades.
Margarian highlighted the importance of holding a third session of the Armenian-Georgian inter-governmental commission and the importance of restoring rail service between the two countries.
Japaridze assured that the restoration of Abkhazian railway is also of interest to Georgia–and it would be reinstated once steps are taken to resolve the Abkhazian conflict. At the end of the meeting–the sides iterated readiness to develop political and economic cooperation between Armenia and Georgia.
