BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 11. Georgia’s Deputy
Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Genadi Arveladze
met with Raja Al-Marzouqi, Head of the Negotiation Team of the Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC), during his working visit to Saudi
Arabia, Trend
reports.
The discussions focused on strengthening trade and economic ties
between Georgia and GCC member states, with particular attention to
the possibility of launching negotiations on a free trade
agreement.
According to Arveladze, deepening trade relations with GCC
countries is a key priority of Georgia’s economic policy. “The Gulf
Cooperation Council member states represent a strategic market for
Georgian exports. They are well acquainted with Georgia and its
economic potential. Our country maintains direct air connections
with most GCC countries and continues to see growing tourist flows.
The example of the United Arab Emirates, with which we have already
signed an economic cooperation agreement, demonstrates that
enhanced cooperation with other GCC states will bring tangible
results and open new opportunities for economic partnership,” he
said.
The meeting also outlined next steps for bilateral engagement. A
GCC mission is expected to visit Georgia on December 2 for
expert-level consultations, which will serve as a basis for formal
negotiations. Both sides expressed readiness to conclude the
consultations by January 2026.
If the consultations proceed successfully and receive a positive
political endorsement from GCC member states, negotiations on the
free trade agreement could begin in the first half of next
year.
The meeting was also attended by Zviad Barkaya, Deputy Head of
the Georgian Government Administration, Deputy Foreign Minister
Alexander Khvtisiashvili, and Georgia’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia,
Nikoloz Revazishvili.
