2017-05-21
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili visited Jordan to attend the World Economic forum on the Middle East and North Africa 2017.
The working visit of the Head of Georgian Government to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan took place on May 20-21.
On May 20, Giorgi Kvirikashvili attended the forum's opening ceremony, with its key speakers including Jordan's Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, King Philip IV of Spain, and WEF Founder Professor Klaus Schwab, and the leaders of different countries.
During his working visit, the Prime Minister of Georgia had bilateral meetings with King Abdullah II of Jordan and Prime Minister and Defense Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Hani Mulki.
At the meeting with the King of Jordan, special attention was paid to the ongoing processes in the Middle East and their impact on global security, with emphasis on the contributions of both countries in the fight against such common challenges as terrorism. The parties stressed a need to join efforts in order to minimize common threats.
The Prime Minister of Georgia thanked the King of Jordan for supporting Georgia's territorial integrity.
The parties hope that the existing framework of bilateral relations will further deepen to enhance economic and security cooperation, which will be beneficial for the two countries and the wider region as a whole.
Special attention during the meeting between the Prime Ministers of Georgia and Jordan was paid to ways for enhancing bilateral ties, including economic links. The Prime Minister spoke of Georgia's advantageous investment environment and the state programs implemented by the Government to ensure rapid economic development, promote production, and encourage investors. Giorgi Kvirikashvili introduced his Jordanian counterpart to the Georgian Government's four-point reform agenda, with the Jordanian side taking special interest in one of its directions, namely governance reform. The Prime Minister of Georgia assured his Jordanian counterpart of Georgia's readiness to share relevant experience in conducting reforms. To expand bilateral relations even further, the parties agreed to step up the work of the joint economic commission. After the meeting, the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on Tourism Cooperation was signed.
As part of his working visit to Jordan, the Prime Minister of Georgia also held meetings with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, Norway's Foreign Minister Børge Brende, and WEF Founder Klaus Schwab.
During the working lunch with Federica Mogherini, the parties discussed Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration, the country's ongoing reforms, and the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit. The Prime Minister hopes that the November Summit in Brussels will be result-oriented. The Head of Government also emphasized the continuous effective implementation of the Association Agreement and the 2017-2020 Association Agenda by Georgia. The parties also discussed further steps under visa liberalization and Georgia's progress in this process.
The dialogue also involved he situation in Georgia's occupied territories. Federica Mogherini reaffirmed her strong support for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty and reiterated her commitment to the non-recognition policy in relation to the occupied territories.
During the meeting with WEF Founder Klaus Schwab, the conversation revolved around current trend in global economy, regional cooperation, and Georgia's engagement in regional projects.
The parties discussed Georgia's role in the Silk Road initiative and pointed out the country's potential to serve as a competitive transit corridor for cargo transportation from Asia to Europe.
The dialogue also involved Georgia's ongoing reforms implemented by the Government to encourage rapid economic growth.
The Georgian delegation included State Minister on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Victor Dolidze, First Deputy Foreign Minister Davit Zalkaliani, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Denadi Arveladze, and the Prime Minister's Foreign Adviser Tedo Japaridze.
Prime Minister's Press Office