Putin, Saakashvili Stress on Economic Ties
In their short remarks made during a press conference before talks in St. Petersburg late on June 13 the Russian and Georgian Presidents stressed the importance of economic ties between the two countries, Georgian Imedi television and Russian RIA Novosti news agency reported.
President Saakashvili expressed hope that Russia will remain Georgia?s major economic and trade partner.
?Russia remains Georgia?s major trade and economic partner,? Putin said in response, adding that the increase of Russian investments in Georgia is ?impressive.?
Putin said that Russian investments in Georgia have increased fivefold in 2005; as a result Russia has become the number one investor in the Georgian economy.
In his remarks President Saakashvili said that he had a chance to see that St. Petersburg has become an even more beautiful city and noted that Tbilisi has also changed much in recent years.
?If you could come [to Georgia] you would also see that Tbilisi and the capital of Adjara [Autonomous Republic] are also transforming,? Saakashvili told Putin.
In response Putin said that he hopes Russia has largely contributed to the development of Tbilisi and other regions of Georgia though its investment projects.
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