国际英语新闻：Turkey, Georgia vow to boost economic relations

Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan(R) holds a press conference together with his Georgian counterpart Grigol Mgaloblishvili in Turkey's capital Ankara on Dec. 23, 2008.

    ANKARA, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Turkish and Georgian prime ministers agreed on Tuesday to further cooperation in trade, investment and joint projects amid the current global economic crisis.

    Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Georgian counterpart Grigol Mgalobishvili made the remarks while holding a joint press conference following their meeting in Turkish capital city of Ankara.

    "Our economic and commercial relations have been improving rapidly in parallel with our political relations," Erdogan said, adding that "We aim at increasing our trade volume with Georgia up to 2 billion U.S. dollars in the next year."

    "Also, there are significant regional projects between us, such as Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. We will revive the historic Silk Road in our region," he added.

    In addition, he called on the Georgian government to take more measures to encourage Turkish investors in the current global economic crisis. "In that way, Turkish businessmen's investments in Georgia will increase."

    Mgalobishvili said the relations between Turkey and Georgia are based on a sound ground and Turkey always supports the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Georgia.

    Mgalobishvili said his talks with Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Erdogan were fruitful and comprehensive.

    Erdogan also said that Turkey attached importance to peaceful solution of the conflicts between Georgia and Russia.

    The stability of the South Caucasus region is important for the stability of the whole Eurasia region, said Erdogan, adding that "Turkey has displayed efforts for the peaceful solution of the problems in its neighbor."

    Mgalobishvili arrived in Ankara on Tuesday on a working visit.