“Turkey sees Georgia as key to the regional cooperation. I believe that we can carry out joint works in terms of regional affiliation and inclusive regional cooperation,” said Erdoğan, during his speech at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Garibashvili of Georgia.

“Turkey has been the biggest trade partner of Georgia for the past 14 years”

Stating that relations between Turkey and Georgia were addressed in detail during today’s talks, President Erdoğan said: “Turkey has been the biggest trade partner of Georgia for the past 14 years. Although there was a little shrinkage in our trade volume in 2020, we have now set a target to reach 3 billion dollars and will continue our works to that end. Our negotiations to extend the scope of our Free Trade Agreement are still going on. Also, we are determined to work on regulations that would facilitate our trade and accelerate our customs procedures.”

“We emphasize our support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity on every occasion”

“As Turkey, we emphasize our support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity on every occasion,” Erdoğan said, reiterating Turkey’s desire for the peaceful resolution of Abkhazia and South Ossetia disputes within the framework of Georgia’s territorial integrity.

Underscoring Turkey’s support for its neighbor Georgia’s goal to integrate with European-Atlantic organizations, Erdoğan said: “I have also exchanged views with Mr. Prime Minister on regional matters. Turkey sees Georgia as key to regional cooperation. I believe that we can carry out joint works in terms of regional affiliation and inclusive regional cooperation. Our trilateral cooperation with Azerbaijan is important in this sense.”

Prime Minister Garibashvili of Georgia: “Turkey is our strategic partner”

Prime Minister Garibashvili of Georgia, for his part, thanked Erdoğan for the warm welcome, hospitality, and sincere talks, and said: “Turkey is a very important friendly country to us and a strategic partner of ours.”

Following the press conference, Erdoğan hosted an official dinner in honor of the Georgian Prime Minister.