Vahe Ghalumyan: Armenia is interested in establishing strategic  partnership with Georgia

ArmInfo. The Armenian-Georgian friendship coming from centuries, anchored on common values and  historical heritage, creates firm basis and fertile soil for our  further cooperation.

On May 11, the Chair of the RA NA Standing Committee on Territorial Administration, Local Self-Government,  Agriculture and Environment Vahe Ghalumyan said about this during the  meeting with the delegation led by the Chairperson of the Regional  Policy and Self-Government Committee of Parliament of Georgia Kakha  Kakhishvili, the press service of the RA NA reports.

Welcoming the members of the delegation in parliament, Vahe Ghalumyan  expressed hope that they will succeed to regularly hold joint  sittings, establishing close cooperation between the relevant  committees of parliaments of the two countries. "In the Action Plan  for 2021-2026 of the Government of Armenia the development of special  good neighbourly relations is underlined as a priority," Vahe  Ghalumyan said, adding that Armenia is interested in establishing  strategic partnership with Georgia. He highlighted the close  cooperation established between different departments of the two  countries, expressing conviction that the mutual trust, the  continuous dialogue and strengthening of collaboration will be an  additional impetus for the regional security and stability.

Thanking his colleague for warm reception, Kakha Kakhishvili  highlighted the parliamentary cooperation and the close work between  the friendship groups. According to Vahe Ghalumyan, the improvement  of communication routes for Armenia is of strategic significance.  "Today, the Friendship Bridge in Bagratashen-Sadakhlo checkpointis  already a reality. We are hopeful that the next step of the  modernization and improvement joint programmes will be Gogavan-Guguti  checkpoint, which has an important role in cargo unloading," the  Committee Chair said, referring to the problems aimed at Upper Lars  checkpoint unloading and as a favourable version of solution  indicated the provision of ferry regular service. He noted that the  Upper Lars checkpoint is almost irreplaceable for Armenia, and being  limited of the latter's capacity, as well as regularly happening  weather deteriorating conditions serve as a serious challenge for our  country. In this context, Vahe Ghalumyan welcomed the steps of the  Georgian side, to ensure the perfect transit, stemming from friendly  relations, and being led by international obligations.

The sides touched upon the reforms implemented in the territorial  administration system and discussed issues of possible exchange of  experience in a number of spheres. The implementation of the  Agreement giving an opportunity to the citizens of the two countries  to move with internal passports was emphasized.

The members of the RA NA Standing Committee on Territorial  Administration, Local Self-Government, Agriculture and Environment,  the deputies of the RA NA Civil Contract Faction Lilit Kirakosyan,  Matevos Asatryan, Sergey Bagratyan and the deputy of the RA NA  Armenia Faction Garnik Danielyan also took part in the meeting.