The year 2005 was marked with numerous Armenian-Georgian meetings at the top level, Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian stated at today's news conference on the results of the MFA activities in 2005. In his words, Armenian President R. Kocharian paid a working visit to Georgia and Georgian leader M. Saakashvili paid a return call in August. NA Chair A. Baghdassaryan was in Georgia on a formal call. The two PMs paid mutual visits as well and the fourth session of the Armenian-Georgian Intergovernmental Commission was held under their direction. Georgia in a unilateral manner significantly reduced customs duties for entry to Georgia. Today Armenia also discussed the matter of reduction of road duties for Georgia. Owing to stabilization of domestic situation in Georgia significant growth of Armenian export to Georgia is observed. Grant Tobacco Company is building a plant for organizing joint production. Tourism was also an active sphere. Over ten thousand Armenian citizens spent their summer vacation on the Black Sea Georgian shore.

According to the FM, the bilateral contacts agenda involved issues of improvement of social and economic status of Armenian population in Georgia, including the region of Samtskhe-Javakheti mostly populated by Armenians, as well as preservation of cultural identity of the Armenian population. Armenia expressed readiness within the limits of possible to take part in works to improve the social and economic record in Javakheti. «Georgia has accepted our offer and at the first stage we are to take part in rebuilding education institutions,» V. Oskanian said. Talks and technical works on demarcation and delimitation of the Armenian-Georgian border continued in 2005 as well. However, Armenia is still concerned over the issue of building the Kars-Akhalkalaki railway. Yerevan has already expressed its opinion to the Georgian party, V. Oskanian remarked.