BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 20
By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
Uruguay is ready to start negotiations with Georgia on signing a free trade agreement, said Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister of Georgia David Zalkaliani following a meeting with his Uruguayan counterpart Francisco Bustijo in Tbilisi, Trend reports with reference to the Georgian media.
"One of the most important results announced by the minister is that a note will be issued on Uruguay's readiness to start negotiations with Georgia in order to formalize a free trade agreement," Zalkaliani said.
He expressed confidence that the free trade agreement will further expand the trade and economic relations between the countries, as well as full use of the potential of Georgia in the Latin America region.
According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry, during the meeting, Zalkaliani and Bustijo discussed in detail a wide range of issues on the agenda of bilateral relations and future priorities in the political, trade, economic and cultural spheres. It was noted that, despite the geographic remoteness, there is much in common between Georgia and Uruguay - the countries actively cooperate in international formats, guided by common values and interests.
Bustijo visits Georgia as part of a regional tour. He arrived in Tbilisi from Armenia and will soon leave for Turkey.
Georgia and Uruguay established diplomatic relations on May 11, 1994. The countries are holding political consultations, working to deepen cooperation in the fields of trade, agriculture and tourism. The parties also actively cooperate in a multilateral format within various organizations.
Currently, Georgia has a free trade agreement with the EU, the countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Great Britain, Turkey, Hong Kong and China. Next in line are Israel and India. The possibility of signing such agreements with Japan and the United States is being actively discussed.
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