Delegation of Lori region visited Autonomous Republic of Ajara

12 September, 2013

On September 8-10 the delegation of Lori region of RA, headed by the regional governor Artur Nalbandyan, paid a working visit to Batumi.

The delegation also included mayors of those cities of Lori, that had their sister cities in Ajara, as Spitak-Khelvachauri, Alaverdi-Kobuleti, Akhtala-Chakvi.

The visit was organized by the Embassy of RA to Georgia and the Consulate General of Armenia in Batumi.

On September 9, the delegation together with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of RA to Georgia Hovhannes Manoukian and Consul General of Armenia in Batumi Aram Grigoryan started the official part of the visit. The first meeting was with Batumi’s mayor Jemal Ananidze. During the conversation the two sides, expressing their satisfaction concerning the present level of the cooperation, reconfirmed their interest in further cooperation between sister cities of Autonomous Republic of Ajara and region of Lori, in particular between Batumi and Vanadzor.

Batumi’s mayor briefly introduced prospects of development of Batumi, emphasized the traditional role of the Batumi-Armenians in the developing process of the city. In his turn, Ambassador Manoukian emphasized the importance of building a cultural centre for Batumi-Armenians and appealed to the city authorities to provide the community with the necessary land.

Later, the delegation met with the head of the government of Ajara Archil Khabadze. The sides, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between the regions of the two countries, expressed confidence that their meeting would become a basis for a new level in bilateral relations. The head of Ajarain details introduced the prospects and directions of development of the Autonomous Republic, particularly emphasizing sphere of tourism that had vital importance for Ajara. It was mentioned that a new centre for skiing was foreseen to be constructed in the East of Ajara and that its operation would be impossible without high quality road. Unfortunately, the road Bavra-Akhlckha-Adigeni-Khulo-Batumi was the worst part of the route. Artur Nalbandyan said that Armenia was interested in reparation of the mentioned road as it would reduce the time duration of Yerevan-Batumi travel. Archil Khabadze informed that the road from Adigeni to Khulo was already under repair. Taking into consideration the fact that Ajara was the main provider of citrus products for Armenia, Mr. Khabadze informed that abundant harvest was expected in the current year and it was necessary to assure its qualified transportation.

Issues concerning the security and efficiency of rescue services for vacationists at the beaches of Ajara were, as well, discussed at the meeting. The head of the government of Ajara assured that the above mentioned issues were in the limelight of the government and measures were taken to renew the technical equipment and increase the number of the rescuers. At the end of the negotiations heads of the delegations signed a memorandum of Understanding on “Cooperation between Lori region of Armenia and Autonomous Republic of Ajara of Georgia”.

On the second part of the day, the delegation visited St.Christ Savior Church of Batumi and met with representatives of Armenian community in Ajara. Later the delegation participated in the presentation of web page “Akhbyur” of Ajarian Armenian community in Barekamutyun House of Batumi.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of RA to Georgia Hovhannes Manoukian and Consul General of RA in Batumi Aram Grigoryan delivered speeches and expressed their willingness to support the initiative.

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