http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/0792_february_1_2005/news_0792_3.htm
Iran and Georgia pursue economic, cultural links A delegation headed by the Georgian government's head of Tourism and Resorts Department Saba Kiknadze and the deputy minister of culture, monuments preservation and sport Nika Vacheishvili, visited the Islamic Republic of Iran on January 14-19. Invited by Iran's deputy for internal, legal and parliamentary affairs Dr. Seyed Taha Hashemi, the Georgian delegation met with the Iranian vice-president for development and utilizing resources, Ali Hashimi, and other senior officials. The delegation also met with the presidents of Iran's state and private tourist companies and service centers as well as the directors of museums and research centers. Describing the visit at a briefing on Monday, January 31, Saba Kiknadze stated the delegation only had time to visit Tehran and the ethnic Georgian region of Ispakhan but nonetheless he stated they "made concrete steps and agreed on many issues." During the visit the two sides signed a memorandum between the two countries that addresses mutual cooperation in the restoration of historical monuments and the protection of museum artifacts. "During the visit a main focus was the exchange of media with Iran. This means that the two countries will exchange journalists, as mass media plays a great part in the close relations of the two countries. We will start working on these issues soon," stated Saba Kiknadze. Kiknadze added that besides journalist, the two governments intend to promote the exchange of archeological students. "Our cultural history is very much linked to each other. Thus we think that the organization of special tours would be a stimulus for strengthening relations between the two countries," said Kiknadze. According to Kiknadze the Georgian side expressed their wish to ease the visa burden for citizens of Georgia who complain that it is too expensive to visit Iran as a tourist. "The Iranian side agreed to consider our request and, as I know, they began to address this problem in the diplomatic sphere as well," Kiknadze said. Another important issue that Iranian officials agreed pursue is mutual cooperation on air transportation. Currently only a Georgian airline, Sakaviaservice, conducts flights between the two countries, but Kiknadze reports that now Iran has decided to have more intensive air links with Georgia. Kiknadze also stressed that the Iranian side agreed to launch air routes to Georgia only if that meant they would be able to fly on to a third neighboring country. "I hope that their initiative will end with a concrete proposal that will result in increased air transportation. The only thing Georgia has to do is to maintain the same spirit and be very mobilized to be prepared for such initiatives," stated Kiknadze adding that besides air transportation, Iran intends to invest money in tourism, especially in hotels. According to Nika Vacheishvili at the culture ministry, his Iranian counterparts agreed to share experience to protect ancient monuments that are related to Iranian history. "They have great experience in this and now the only thing we have to do is to choose the monuments that need repairs most of all. We think these will be buildings in Old Tbilisi," stated Vachieshvili. At the end of the visit, Iranian officials agreed to visit Georgia sometime this Spring. -- It's just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I just beat people up. -- Muhammad Ali ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Give underprivileged students the materials they need to learn. Bring education to life by funding a specific classroom project. http://us.click.yahoo.com/FHLuJD/_WnJAA/cUmLAA/TySplB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? 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