The FINANCIAL — Minister of Agriculture Otar Danelia held a tete-a-tete meeting with Mr. Faruk Çelik, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Livestock of Turkey, who held an official visit to Georgia.
At the meeting the sides expressed willingness to strengthen bilateral agricultural cooperation between the two countries, according to the Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia.
Mr. Faruk Çelik underlined Georgia’s support and assistance to Turkey throughout difficult times and noted, that High Rank Officials from Georgia attended the High Level Strategic Council meeting in Turkey over a month ago, where two sides made an agreement to discuss agricultural issues in the extended format of meeting in the near future in Georgia.
,, We have discussed a number of important issues. The Executive Committee meeting is held today for the first time in 22 years, which is very useful and beneficial for future cooperation between the two countries. It is noteworthy, that good trade relations between Turkey and Georgia are a reflection of strong ties, although Turkey’s share in the agricultural sector is only about 10 percent at present. We agreed to promote this potential. It should be noted, that representatives of Turkish business sector involved in the field of agriculture will participate in Georgia-Turkey business forum today in Georgia ” – said Mr. Faruk Çelik, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Livestock of Turkey.
Turkey is Georgia’s biggest trade partner, accordingly, all mutually beneficial issues should be handled in a respectful and positive way.
,, Turkey is Georgia’s neighbor and strategic partner. Our trade relation with Turkey needs a revision and further improvement”. At the meeting we have agreed on various ways to boost exports between our countries. There are many areas where Georgia and Turkey can establish friendly cooperative ties. It should be noted, that we can cooperate unconditionally in those positions that is recognized by the EU. Furthermore, all products which are exported from Georgia to the EU market will be exported to Turkey as well. Therefore, the EU approximation and harmonization process is an additional opportunity to further deepen trade relations in different markets. “- said Otar Danelia.
As the Minister of Agriculture of Georgia noted, bilateral trade relations between the two countries includes import of those products that are neither produced nor carried out in Georgia. However, Georgia will increase it’s export of nuts, meat, honey and grapes in Turkey.
Mr. Danelia said, that, this is the first time when after many years the High Rank officials of Agriculture Sector of Turkey arrived in Georgia. At the meeting, the sides agreed to arrange annual meetings for the future.
The First Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Georgia, Nodar Kereselidze, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkey Irakli Koplatadze, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Georgia Zeki Levent Gumrukcu attended the meeting.
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