President Gül Lays Emphasis upon Turkish-Georgian Robust Bonds

President Gül, during the speech he delivered at the joint press conference he held with President Margvelashvili of Georgia, reiterated that Georgia has always been of great importance to Turkey, saying: “There are many Turkish citizens of Georgian origin in Turkey and many Georgian citizens of Turkish origin in Georgia as well. This demonstrates that both peoples enjoy intimate and robust bonds.”

President Abdullah Gül and President Giorgi Margvelashvili of Georgia held a joint news conference.

TURKISH-GEORGIAN COOPERATION

At the outset of his speech, President Gül shared his happiness to be visiting Tbilisi to pay a state visit and on the occasion of the Turkey-Georgia-Azerbaijan Trilateral Summit.

The Trilateral Summit, he noted, has enabled the leaders of these three countries to review both the quintessential projects carried out within the framework of the strategic importance of the region and other projects that could be conducted in this regard. Turkey has always attached great importance to its relations with Georgia. “There are many Turkish citizens of Georgian origin in Turkey and many Georgian citizens of Turkish origin in Georgia as well. This demonstrates that both peoples enjoy intimate and robust bonds. Each year, 1.8 million Georgian people visit Turkey and 1.6 million Turkish citizens visit Georgia, which also shows how robust is the relationship between the two peoples. We as leaders of our countries have carried the existing solidarity between our countries and nations to the highest level. Our bilateral relations today have reached the level of strategic partnership.”

TURKEY’S SUPPORT FOR GEORGIA

Turkey, the President emphasized, supports the resolution of the problems in the region within the framework of Georgia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, the rule of law and international law. Turkey also endorses Georgia’s efforts to integrate with the European-Atlantic institutions, declared President Gül, underscoring the importance of the fact that Georgia will soon sign the partnership and free trade agreement with the EU.

Touching on the economic dimension of Turkish-Georgian relations during his speech, President Gül said that “a number of Turkish firms are carrying out huge projects in such areas as the energy and infrastructure in Georgia. Through an agreement we signed in the energy field, the surplus of the electricity produced in that country can be sold to Turkey and via our country to Europe. Thus, both countries have almost been connected economically. Turkish and Georgian citizens can travel to each other’s countries without visa requirements. Moreover, both countries enjoy the Free Trade Agreement.”

COOPERATION IN TRANSPORTATION

The President further continued as follows: “We have agreed that the procedures at the Sarp Border Gate should be eased. We hope that we will implement the single window system and consolidate the connection of Europe and Turkey to Central Asia via the Caucasus through land route. 80 % of the huge projects being conducted including viaducts and tunnels have already been completed. Not to mention the existing great projects in other areas including the energy sector.”

President Gül further maintained that Turkish-Georgian solidarity will continue and offered at the end of his speech.his thanks to his Georgian counterpart for his warm welcome.

PRESIDENT GÜL LAYS WREATH AT MEMORIAL OF HEROES 

President Gül afterwards laid a wreath at the Memorial of Heroes and later attended the working luncheon Prime Minister Garibashvili hosted in his honor. 

Having completed his official program in Georgia, President Gül returned to Turkey.

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