On June 7, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian arrived in Tbilisi for a working visit by the invitation of Foreign Minister of Georgia Grigol Vashadze.

Upon arrival to Tbilisi, Edward Nalbandian visited the Meidan square of Tbilisi where Armenian Foreign Minister with his Georgian counterpart Grigol Vashadze and the Mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava unveiled a monument dedicated to Sayat-Nova. The foundation of the monument was laid by the presidents of Armenia and Georgia in September 2008 during the official visit of the President of Armenia Serzh Sarkisian to Tbilisi.

Delivering a speech before thousands residents of Tbilisi, cultural and literary figures from Armenia, Edward Nalbandian thanked the authorities of Tbilisi and the authors of the monument for erecting in the centre of Tbilisi the monument dedicated to Sayat-Nova, one of the most prominent persons symbolizing Armenian-Georgian friendship.

In his speech Minister Nalbandian stressed: “Armenian and Georgian people are the inheritors of ancient culture, customs and centuries-old friendship which we have got from our ancestors. To inherit means not only to get something but also to take care, to retain and to multiply the heritage of our ancestors. I think this is what our creative fathers dreamed of, I think this is what Sayat-Nova dreamed of”.

On May 8, in the morning Edward Nalbandian had a meeting with Foreign Minister of Georgia Grigol Vashadze.

Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze expressed satisfaction with the developing cooperation with Armenia in different areas and mentioned that the Georgian authorities are interested in further deepening and expansion of the existing high level contacts.

Ministers discussed the preparations of the upcoming visit of the Georgian President to Armenia.

Edward Nalbandian touched upon the economic cooperation between the two countries and the steps aimed at the promotion of bilateral partnership in that area and expressed the anticipation of the Armenian side on the revision of cargo transit transportation duties to Armenia and from Armenia through the Georgian territory. Ministers discussed issues concerning the cooperation in the field of energy and transport.

Speaking on Armenian-Georgian cultural exchanges Minister Nalbandian expressed satisfaction on the week of Georgian culture recently organized in Armenia and attached importance to the organization of such events both in Armenia and in Georgia.

Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Georgia had a detailed discussions on a number of issues, which the Georgian-Armenian Diaspora is facing. In this context Grigol Vashadze presented the projects implemented by the Georgian authorities in Javakhq aimed at the settlement of social-economic problems, particularly in the areas of employment, the construction of roads and the improvement of the conditions in educational institutions.

The two exchanged views on some regional and international issues.

The meeting between Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Georgia was followed by the joint press conference.

On the same day Minister Nalbandian returned Yerevan.