Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Georgia and Israel have begun negotiations on preferential and non-visa regime, Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili told Georgian journalists after his visit to Israel.

"We have agreed with Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu that a special commission will begin work on visa simplification, and then on its cancellation, and we agreed to start this work immediately," Ivanishvili said.

According to Ivanishvili, the visit was very successful and he was able to negotiate on many issues with Israel.

"This is economic relations, as well as security issues," he said.

Ivanishvili and Netanyahu also discussed the issue of regional security during their meeting.

"Today vital topics are the preservation of peace and the fight against terrorism, and the experience of Israel in this area is very important for Georgia, and we intend to cooperate in this field," Ivanishvili said.

According to Netanyahu, Israel is committed to a sustainable peace settlement with the Palestinians, which can be achieved only through direct negotiations without preconditions.

Following the meeting, the sides signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of culture.

Earlier, Bidzina Ivanishvili met with Israeli President Shimon Peres. The sides discussed the prospects of intensifying bilateral and multilateral relations between the two countries.

They also discussed the importance of trade and economic cooperation between Georgia and Israel, the development of energy and cultural relations.

Then an agreement on establishing an intergovernmental commission was signed.

The main purpose of the Georgian-Israeli commission will be the deepening of economic relations between the two countries.

Also, a Georgian-Israeli business forum organized by National Investment Agency of Georgia, Georgian Embassy in Israel and Israeli Export and International Cooperation Institute was held in Tel Aviv on June 25.

Ivanishvili paid an official visit to Israel on June 24-25. His delegation included Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze, State Minister on the Diaspora Issues Konstantin Surguladze, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Director of the Investment Agency Giorgi Pertaya.