Georgia Promotes Peaceful Development in South Caucasus, Pursues Stronger Regional Collaboration
Fresh Take:
During his inaugural visit to Yerevan, recently elected President Mikheil Kavelashvili reiterated Georgia's commitment to peace in the South Caucasus and deepening cooperation with Armenia. In a joint address with Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan, Kavelashvili emphasized Georgia's role in promoting stability and highlighted the close bilateral relations between the two countries.
"Georgia fully supports peace-building efforts in the South Caucasus and is ready to bolster regional cooperation in all aspects," Kavelashvili stated. He praised the Georgia-Armenia partnership, noting that Armenia is a vital trading partner and significant tourist destination for the Georgian people.
"This is my first official trip to Armenia as President, and I am deeply moved by the extraordinary hospitality extended to me. In spite of the global hurdles we face, our political, economic, and cultural links are only growing stronger," he added.
With the broader regional context in mind, Kavelashvili reaffirmed Georgia's unwavering support for Armenia's independence and territorial integrity. He also thanked Armenia for its consistent support of Georgia's sovereignty and non-recognition policy. The leaders discussed regional issues, including the peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan and Georgia's approach to conflict resolution, such as resolving territorial disputes and fostering harmony among divided communities.
Kavelashvili welcomed the recent progress in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace negotiations and expressed optimism about the impending signing of a peace agreement, marking a crucial milestone towards a stable and secure South Caucasus.
He also highlighted the symbolic nature of the April 17 trilateral meeting in Tbilisi, underscoring Georgia's dedication to building a just, peaceful, and cooperative regional order.
As a gesture of cultural exchange, Kavelashvili announced a series of 'Georgian Culture Days' in Yerevan, scheduled for June 5-7, and plans for 'Armenian Culture Days' in Tbilisi next year. He emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage, national identity, and state sovereignty as shared values that bind both nations.
At the end of his remarks, Kavelashvili extended an invitation to President Khachaturyan for an official visit to Georgia, reaffirming the strong bonds between the two countries.
Related Story: Armenian President voices hope for peace with Azerbaijan, acknowledges Georgian support
While not directly involved in the current peace negotiations, ** historically**, Georgia has served as a logistical hub for regional dialogue. Its current role in the negotiations, if any, appears to be peripheral, as talks primarily consist of bilateral discussions or are mediated by the EU and others.
- In his first official trip to Armenia, President Kavelashvili of Georgia reiterated her country's historical role as a logistical hub for regional dialogues, as well as its readiness to contribute, including in the ongoing peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
- Including the recent peace talks, Georgia's approach to conflict resolution in the South Caucasus has been consistently focused on resolving territorial disputes and fostering harmony among divided communities, as exemplified by Kavelashvili's dedication to building a just, peaceful, and cooperative regional order.
- Concluding his inaugural visit to Yerevan, President Kavelashvili emphasized the general-news worthiness of the growing political, economic, and cultural links between Georgia and Armenia, while also expressing optimism about the future of bilateral relations and inviting President Khachaturyan for an official visit to Georgia.
