Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, together with a delegation of several GD ministers, visited Kyrgyzstan on June 11-12 in what he said was the first “top-level” visit between the two states.
The delegation included GD Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili, Agriculture Minister Levan Songulashvili, and Government Administration Head Levan Zhorzholiani.
Among other events, Kobakhidze met with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov in an expanded format, and the two leaders signed a “joint statement” on bilateral cooperation. “A number of memoranda of cooperation” were also signed in various fields, the Georgian side said.
The parties also held a session of the “Georgia-Kyrgyzstan Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation,” where they discussed opportunities to expand trade and economic ties.
The two leaders then made joint media statements.
Meeting with President Sadyr Japarov
On June 12, Irakli Kobakhidze met with Sadyr Japarov at the Kyrgyz Presidential Palace in Bishkek. The meeting was held in an expanded format and was attended by ministers from both countries, the Georgian government administration said in a press release.
Kobakhidze, quoted in the press release, said that the trip marked the first “top-level” visit between the two countries. “We sincerely hope that this visit will provide a new impetus to strengthening relations between our countries. Georgia and Kyrgyzstan enjoy positive political and economic relations, and there is considerable potential for their further enhancement,” he said, adding that the Georgian side is interested in expanding cooperation “not only in the political and economic spheres, but also in culture and education.” He thanked Kyrgyzstan for its support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
President Japarov described the visit as marking “a new chapter” in bilateral relations and said he expected it to “contribute to the further strengthening of our political, economic, humanitarian and cultural ties.” He expressed readiness to deepen “cooperation in trade, economic and infrastructure sectors, as well as within international formats and to benefit from Georgia’s successful experience,” saying he is confident that the visit will “yield concrete practical results.”
According to the press release, following the meeting, “a number of memoranda of cooperation were signed” between the two countries “in various fields,” and Kobakhidze and Japarov also signed a joint statement “reaffirming the parties’ commitment to further developing bilateral relations across a wide range of sectors.”
Joint Media Statements
- Kobakhidze’s Speech
In his speech published by the government administration, Irakli Kobakhidze thanked the Kyrgyz side for hosting the delegation, describing the talks as “interesting and substantive” and expressing gratitude for Kyrgyzstan’s “firm, unconditional and consistent support” for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He congratulated the country on the 35th anniversary of independence, and wished “the friendly Kyrgyz people peace and prosperity.” Georgia views Kyrgyzstan as both “an important and reliable partner” and a friendly nation, he said.
He went on to say that particular attention had been devoted to “trade and economic cooperation” during his meeting with the Kyrgyz side, as well as cooperation within international organizations. According to him, the discussions also covered transport and logistics, including “the importance of developing the Middle Corridor and the need to intensify efforts aimed at supporting its growth and attracting additional cargo flows.” He added that Georgia is “closely following” the implementation of the “China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project,” expressing hope that it will “progress rapidly.”
“Georgia, for its part, is making significant investments to enhance its transit function. We believe that these processes will substantially contribute to the further development of trade and economic relations between our regions and, specifically, between our two countries,” he said, noting that the discussions touched upon deepening cooperation in tourism and increasing bilateral tourist flows.
Kobakhidze also invited Japarov to visit Georgia.
- Japarov’s Address
President Japarov described Georgia as an “important partner” and said bilateral relations are based on “mutual trust, mutual respect and long-standing cooperation.” He said the talks covered “political dialogue, trade and economic relations, investment and sectoral cooperation, as well as the development of cultural and humanitarian ties.”
“We emphasized the importance of maintaining regular political dialogue, deepening intergovernmental and interparliamentary contacts, and expanding consultations between our foreign ministries,” he said.
Japarov also highlighted the importance of “linking the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway with Georgia’s port infrastructure,” saying, “We stressed that cooperation in this area represents one of the priority directions of bilateral relations between our two countries,” adding that Bishkek is interested in “implementing exchange programs in education, science, culture, youth policy and sports.”
He expressed hope that “the agreements reached today will further strengthen Kyrgyz-Georgian relations, facilitate the implementation of mutually beneficial projects and contribute to the prosperity of the peoples of our two countries,” and thanked the Georgian side “for supporting Kyrgyzstan’s international initiatives concerning the sustainable development of mountain regions, and we once again reaffirm our readiness to cooperate closely in this area.”
Botchorishvili Meets Kyrgyz FM
On June 11, Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili met with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev, according to the Georgian Foreign Ministry.
“The ministers discussed issues about bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” the Foreign Ministry said, adding, “Particular emphasis was placed on the significance of the first official visit at the highest level from Georgia, which is expected to provide renewed impetus to cooperation between the two countries. In this context, the parties underscored the importance of maintaining high-level dialogue between Georgia and the Kyrgyz Republic.”
The ministry added that the discussions also focused on “cooperation in the fields of transport and logistics, as well as the strategic importance of developing the Middle Corridor for both countries, and issues related to regional cooperation.”
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