Georgian, Swiss presidents express wish to deepen cooperation in all areas
TBILISI. Dec 4 (Interfax) - Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili said he believes it is very important to develop and deepen cooperation with Switzerland.
"Active cooperation with a country which has been supporting Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity over the years and playing an important role in mediation between Georgia and Russia in the absence of diplomatic relations between two countries, is very important," Margvelashvili said at a joint briefing with his Swiss counterpart Doris Leuthard on Monday.
Prior to the briefing, the leaders of two countries held a one-on-one meeting, as well as an extended one.
"Georgia will have a free trade regime with Switzerland, as with the countries of the European Union, and the freedom of visa-free travel between citizens of two countries very soon," Margvelashvili said.
Switzerland is a country, which has over 20 years allocated hundreds of millions of dollars for Georgia's development via its Agency for Development and Cooperation, he said.
The Swiss president said that her country would continue being there for Georgia, which, in her opinion, is proceeding forward and developing well.
Leuthard said she is pleased that bilateral relations between two countries are developing successfully and expressed hope they would expand further.
At the meeting with the president, the development of trade, economy, and agriculture, investments and tourism were discussed, she said. Switzerland is ready to share its experience and support Georgia in all areas, Leuthard said.
Georgia and Switzerland established diplomatic relations in July 1992. Since 2009, Switzerland has been acting as a mediator between Georgia and Russia following Tbilisi's severance of diplomatic relations with Moscow.