2017-03-08
On March 8, 2017, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili held a state visit to the Italian Republic.
A welcoming ceremony was officiated in Rome by Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni to honor the state visit of Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili.
The anthems of the two countries were performed at the Palazzo Chigi, with a guard of honor formed to present ceremonial compliments as the Prime Ministers introduced each other to their delegations. A new stage in economic and cultural cooperation and intense dynamics in Georgia-Italy relations, this is how Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni described his Georgian counterpart's state visit to Rome.
The Head of Italian Government thanked the Prime Minister of Georgia for his visit designed, according to Gentiloni, to promote further the active bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The parties discussed trade, economic, and investment potential, Georgia's geostrategic location, and prospect of cooperation in the fields of agriculture, energy, and tourism. The Importance of the memoranda of understanding signed during the Georgian Prime Minister's visit was emphasized by the parties who hope that the Italy-Georgia Business Forum will stimulate new Italian investments in Georgia.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Paolo Gentiloni stressed the issue of Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration. The Head of Italian Government welcomed the finalization of visa waiver for Georgia.
The importance of the diplomatic relations between Georgia and Italy, which celebrate their 25th anniversary, and prospects of further cooperation were discussed at the meeting in Rome between Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Italian Minister Angelino Alfano of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The parties discussed some of the key issues pertaining to the partnership between the two nations and emphasized the close friendly bonds between Georgia and Italy. Special emphasis was placed in trade and economic potential, with the parties looking forward to the Business Forum, organized as part of the Georgian Prime Minister's visit, to double the interest of Italian businesses in Georgia's investment opportunities.
Georgia and Italy have a significant potential for furthering their economic cooperation, as it was pointed out at the meeting between Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Italian Minister of Economic Development Carlo Calenda, who also discussed some of the key issues of trade and economic relations between the countries.
According to the Prime Minister of Georgia, Italy is one of one of Georgia's largest trade partners, with the trade volume growing by 23% in 2016, and the DCFTA with the EU offering new opportunities for closer bilateral cooperation.
The parties expressed hope that the Business Forum in Rome would further attract Italian entrepreneurs to Georgia's investment potential and encourage growth in Georgian export.
The Georgian Prime Minister and the Minister of Economic Development of Italy spoke of the potential for tourism cooperation.
The parties agreed an Italian business mission, consisting of leading Italian companies, would visit Tbilisi in May to study Georgia's investment environment.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili also held a meeting with President Pietro Grasso of the Italian Senate.
At the meeting in Rome, the parties discussed the two countries' bilateral relations and prospects of deeper economic cooperation.
The main topic of the meeting was Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Pietro Grasso congratulated the Prime Minister of Georgia on the finalization of visa liberalization and expressed hope that Georgian citizens would be able to enjoy visa-free travel in the Schengen Area in the next few days.
Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Pietro Grasso also discussed regional challenges. According to the President of the Italian Senate, Georgia, as a partner state of the European Union, plays an important role in ensuring regional stability and peace.
Tbilisi will host the 2017 NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session, as was announced during the meeting between Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and NATO PA President Paolo Alli.
The parties discussed Georgia's North-Atlantic integration and the implementation of the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package, also commending Georgia's significant progress in this direction.
During the meeting, special attention was paid to the importance of the NATO PA Spring Session to be held in Tbilisi, on May 26-29, 2017.
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili introduced Italian businesspersons to some of the features of Georgia's attractive business environment, including low rates, light market regulations, easy physical and normative market access, the DCFTA with the EU, the country's geostrategic location, high-speed train system and highways, and ongoing reforms seeking to promote economic growth and businesses.
As part of his state visit to Italy, the Prime Minister of Georgia attended the opening of the Joint Italy-Georgia Business Forum in the company of Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano. The forum brings together over 250 leading Italian and Georgian businesses.
Prime Minister's Press Office