Georgia has proven to be a reliable partner for both the EU and China, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs during his speech at the plenary session of the Parliament, where he was heard in the interpolation format.

“Georgia and China are the participating countries of the ancient Silk Road and are connected by the centuries-old history of trade and economic cooperation. Since January 2018, the free trade agreement between Georgia and China has been in effect, which has significantly increased trade, especially Georgian exports to the Chinese market. China is one of the 3 largest trade partner countries of Georgia. Currently, only Georgia in the region has a free trade agreement with China, which, in turn, emphasizes Georgia’s outstanding role in the region for China.

Georgia is the only country in the region that has signed a free trade agreement simultaneously with the European Union (since 2014) and China (since 2018). Georgia has proven to be a reliable partner for both the EU and China. We are actively using the opportunity provided by these two agreements and increasing the volume of trade in both directions.

China is one of the most important players in today’s world, with which more than 60 countries have established strategic partnership relations and signed relevant agreements. Among them: “Comprehensive strategic partnership” - 40 countries of America and Europe; “Strategic partnership” - 20 countries of Europe, America, Asia, Pacific Ocean and Africa; Also, the European Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the African Union (AU)”, - said Ilia Darchiashvili.