Georgian, Dutch PMs Pledge to Deepen Trade Ties

On November 4, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia visited western Europe for the first time since taking office. PM Gakharia met his Dutch counterpart, Mark Rutte, in the Hague, the Netherlands late yesterday.

At the joint news briefing following the meeting, PM Rutte called Gakharia’s visit to the Netherlands “historic,” as this is “the first ever bilateral visit of a Georgian prime minister to the Netherlands.” “I see your visit as confirmation that the relations between our two countries are flourishing as never before, and that’s especially true of our trade ties,” Rutte stated.

According to PM Rutte, the Netherlands is “one of Georgia’s biggest trade partners,” and the “second largest investor in Georgia,” that, as he said, is “a sign that we have every confidence in your country’s future; confidence that fuels by the macro economic stability, economic growth, and reforms that Georgia has achieved.” “Whenever confidence and stability prevail, opportunities arise,” the Dutch PM added.

According to Georgian National Statistics Office (Geostat), Georgia’s trade turnover with the Netherlands, stood at USD 251.7 million in 2018, with exports at USD 46.3 million (USD 40.1 million in 2017) and imports at USD 205.4 million (USD 155.2 million in 2017).

The Dutch PM also noted that Georgia is “more than just a trade partner” for the Netherlands, and that the two countries “share common values, including in commitment to democracy and rule of law.” “Thanks to all [of] its hard work over the past few years, Georgia has become an example for the rest of the region, and therefore, a key partner for the Netherlands and the EU,” Rutte said.

He then added that Georgia and the Netherlands “share common interests and challenges” in the area of security too. “After all, the security, stability and prosperity of our regions are highly inter-dependent,” the Dutch PM said, noting that the Netherlands “values the collaborative and successful relationship” with Georgia.

On his part, the Georgian Prime Minister said that Georgia appreciates the Netherlands’ support in bilateral and multilateral formats. According to Giorgi Gakharia, at the meeting, the two prime ministers spoke of occupation of Georgia’s territories as well as his country’s progress in its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia traveled to Azerbaijan on October 9 in his first foreign visit after assuming power. He visited Armenia on October 15, and Turkey – on October 31. According to PM’s press office, Gakhkaria will also travel to Brussels “as soon as the new composition of the European Commission takes office.”

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