site.btaGeorgian PM Irakli Garibashvili Visits Bulgaria

Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili Visits Bulgaria

Sofia, December 7 (BTA) - Prime Ministers Boyko Borissov of Bulgaria and Irakli Garibashvili of Georgia noted that there is a great potential for developing bilateral relations, stressing on possible joint participation in the New Silk Road initiative and on Bulgaria's support for Georgia's Euro-Atlantic progress.

Garibashvili is on an official visit to Bulgaria.

After a one-on-one meeting, Borissov and Garibashvili attended the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation in European and Euro-Atlantic Integration between the two governments, and a Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation between Bulgaria's Agriculture and Food Ministry and Georgia's Agriculture Ministry.

Borissov emphasized the traditionally good cooperation between the two countries, and stated support for Georgia's progress towards the EU and NATO. He pledged Bulgaria's support for visa liberalization despite "our modest ability". "We attribute a great importance to the transport corridors and ferry links with Georgia. The New Silk Road, especially after the 16+1 meeting and the bilateral meetings with the Chinese Prime Minister, opens up an exceptional opportunity for the ports of Georgia and Bulgaria to become part of that corridor," Borissov commented.

He said that Bulgaria's Foreign Minister would visit Iran on December 22-23. "We hope to build even better relations regarding liquefied gas terminals which will be built in the Georgian ports. This would also bring gas to Bulgaria's ports because now Turkey does no allow such ships to navigate the Bosphorus," said Borissov.

Garibashvili thanked his counterpart for the hospitality and support, and specially mentioned the Bachkovo Monastery "as a symbol of the unique combination of Bulgarian and Georgian culture and our shared religion". The monastery acts as a bridge between the two nations, he said.

The Georgian government leader said his country appreciated Bulgaria's support for its EU accession and Euro-Atlantic integration. He stressed on cooperation in transport in general and the New Silk Road initiative in particular. Georgia is a reliable country and partner to Bulgaria, Garibashvili said.

Later in the day, President Rosen Plevneliev received Georgia's Prime Minister, his press secretariat said. EU visa-free travel for Georgian citizens should become a reality as soon as possible, said Plevneliev. Bulgaria hails quick, sustainable progress for Georgia in the implementation of the EU-Georgia Action Plan on Visa Liberalization, and there are no reasons whatsoever for delaying this decision, he said.

Plevneliev expressed firm support for Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration as a strong, reliable EU and NATO partner in the region.

Bulgaria and Georgia are of key importance to connectedness in the Black Sea Region, and the potential for cooperation in strategic infrastructure and energy projects is considerable, the sides concurred. The two countries support the Southern Gas Corridor, and Georgia is an important partner in projects for diversification of the natural gas sources and routes to Europe and Bulgaria. The two countries also show a shared interest in China's project for construction of a railway transport corridor along the Silk Road which will link Asia and Europe.

Georgia will rely on practical support from Bulgaria for key reforms and for improving its legislation, said Garibashvili. Georgia should tap the opportunities opened by the fact that Bulgaria sets the regional agenda as the Chairman-in-Office of the leading format for regional political dialogue, the South-East European Cooperation Process, and as the Chairman of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, said Plevneliev. In September 2016 Bulgaria will host the Meeting of the Arraiolos Group Presidents, which will be another opportunity to discuss matters of key importance to the countries of the Black Sea Region.