Iran, Georgia Resolved to Boost Trade Ties

Iranian and Georgian foreign ministers met in Baku on March 15, 2018 / Photo by the Iranian Foreign Ministry

During the meeting held on the sidelines of quadripartite talks between Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, Zarif called for taking advantage of the available capacities to enhance bilateral relations.

“We want to deepen our cooperation with Tbilisi to facilitate banking relations, finish the Iran-Georgia railway project, make operational a transit corridor from the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean and resume export of goods to Georgia.”

Zarif also described as highly significant the bilateral relations between Iran and Georgia at international arena and expressed hope the joint commission of two sides’ consulates would be held soon.

For his part, the Georgian foreign minister expressed his satisfaction with the growing ties between the two sides over the past year.

He also called for joint investments in technical and engineering projects and establishment of small, medium and even large-sized companies to expand economic and trade ties between the two sides.

Janelidze also called for the establishment of new branches of Iranian banks in Georgia with the aim of further developing their current economic ties.

Baku hosted top diplomats of Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia in the first-ever such quadripartite talks aimed at promoting regional peace and cooperation among the four nations.

Zarif arrived in Baku on Thursday to attend the quadrilateral meeting with his Turkish, Azeri and Georgian counterparts, namely Mevlut Cavusoglu, Elmar Mammadyarov and Mikheil Janelidze.

The talks focused on a range of issues, including regional developments, fight against drug trafficking and the enhancement of economic relations among the participating states.