Georgia and Iran are in close relations for centuries

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to Iran, H.E. Ioseb Chakhvashvili Wrote a Clarifying Note on Iran-Georgia Ties to AVA Diplomatic reports..

Georgia celebrates its National Day on May 26. During its 3000 year of statehood, as part of great historical developments of Eurasia, Georgia was engaged in intensive political, economic and cultural relations with other regional states, and among them always was Iran, with whom Georgia was in a close connections for centuries.

May 26, 1918 is the date when the first Georgian Democratic Republic was established after Russian Empire collapsed. The young republic, that declared its devotion to democracy and freedom of its people, stated its commitment to a peaceful and friendly coexistence with neighbors, got under the attack of Bolshevik Russia and fell in 1921. During decades-long totalitarian Soviet regime occupation Georgian people did not give up its dream and historic goal to become a free, democratic, peaceful and prosperous nation. That is why from the outset of regaining independence after USSR collapse, Georgia declared the European integration as its foreign policy priority.

In 1990-ies, Georgia went through a complicated period of post-Soviet transition on its way to establish a modern state and to develop relations with its neighbors. The present Government, elected in 2012, pursues the path of policies and fundamental reforms to accelerate economic development and re-establish the justice in the society, to establish friendly and mutually beneficial relations with neighboring countries and to reach peaceful solutions in Caucasus regional conflicts.

The Government of Georgia always expresses its appreciation to the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was among the first states that recognized Georgian independence. As a serious regional power, Iran has also always been supportive to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.

The top-priority of Georgian foreign policy is the Euro-Atlantic integration and in this process we have reached an important milestone: on June 27, 2014 Georgia signed the association agreement with the European Union. The European integration, being the foreign policy priority of Georgia, has become the main direction of the internal policy as well, with the purpose to lead us to the best European political, economic, social and judicial standards, to the improvement of quality of life of the Georgian citizens, to economic growth, protection and further enhancement of the political and economic freedoms, strengthening of democratic institutions and the rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, independence of the judiciary.

Advancing its European agenda, Georgia pays close attention to regional countries. Without any doubt, development of constructive relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran is one of priorities of the Georgian Government. More than two decades of diplomatic relations between our countries are accompanied by the present active interactions: Ministers of Foreign Affairs met twice at UN headquarters in 2012 and 2013. There are frequent consultations between consular departments, parliamentary friendship groups, Chambers of Commerce, regular meetings of the Joint Commission on International Transporting.  Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister H.E. Ebrahim Rahimpour visited Tbilisi twice, in November 2013 to attend Presidential inauguration, and again in March 2014, when he discussed political, economic, energy and cultural cooperation with high-ranking Georgian Government officials and members of Parliament.  In January 2015 the Head of Georgian Parliament H.E. Mr. David Usupashvili visited I.R. Iran. He was warmly received by the President H.E. Hassan Rouhani, the Head of the Majlis H.E. Ali Ardashir Amoli Larijani, the Chairman of the Expediency Discernment Council H.E. Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council H.E. Ali Shamkhani.

Just recently on May 17-19 2015, the Joint Georgian-Iranian Economic Commission met here in Tehran. Intensive work of experts, negotiations and meetings between government officials resulted in signing of MoU that outlines future perspectives of our economic and cultural cooperation. Last year, annual trade between our countries reached 200 million USD and tens of thousands Iranian citizens visited Georgia.

We firmly believe that Georgia, with its strategic location, transit and investment potential will make its contribution to the development of the regional trade. In this context, EU association is an important impetus for Georgia’s economic development, as according to researches, the export of Georgian products to the EU will increase by 12 %. The implementation of the trade-related reforms in the long run will result in the further increase of Georgia’s GDP by 4.3 %. Georgian products will access the EU market without tariffs, quotas and barriers to trade. Beyond doubt this will significantly increase the attractiveness of Georgia for investments and create new opportunities for the Georgian and international business. This creates endless opportunities to be exploited on the biggest and the most stable European market. The high level of security of investments and the European standards will attract more foreign investors. Those opportunities are equally accessible for the citizens of Georgia as well as other actors, interested in investing in the country.

There are good people-to-people interaction between our countries, including the exchange of cultural and art groups. It should be mentioned that there are thousands of Iranian citizens of Georgian origin which have a respected place in Iranian society. They actively participate in the socio-economic life of the Iran and serve as a bridge of friendship between our countries.

There is long-term high-level collaboration between our scientific institutions too, especially in the field of linguistics. The Georgian language is taught in Iran and Persian is taught in Georgia. Last Year the memorandum of cooperation was signed between our best-known educational establishments: the Tbilisi State University and the University of Tehran.

The experience of the past period gives us optimism that the relationship between Georgia and Iran will continue developing in a positive atmosphere for the peace and prosperity of our nations.