MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

The second meeting of the Georgia-Serbia Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation was held in Belgrade, the capital of the Republic of Serbia. The session was co-chaired by Mariam Kvrivishvili, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, and Jagoda Lazarević, Minister of Internal and External Trade of the Republic of Serbia.

In her opening remarks, Mariam Kvrivishvili highlighted the significance and growing dynamics of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, as well as the existing potential across various sectoral directions.

“We attach great importance to launching negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between Georgia and the Republic of Serbia. Georgia remains committed to advance the necessary preparatory steps and to move this process forward in close partnership with our Serbian colleagues. Despite growing dynamics, the current volume of bilateral trade between our countries does not yet reflect the full potential, and it is essential that we intensify our efforts to further develop and expand these economic ties” – the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development stated.

According to Mariam Kvrivishvili’s assessment, cooperation between the two countries holds significant potential in various sectors. In her speech, she highlighted Georgia’s importance as a transport and logistics hub and discussed ongoing large-scale projects in this regard, as well as the prospects for deepening cooperation in the energy sector.

“Georgia is responding to growing cargo flows by implementing major transport infrastructure, including: the East-West Highway, railway modernization, the development of the new Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line, the construction of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port and of Tbilisi’s new airport. These projects will significantly increase the throughput capacity of Georgia’s transport network and strengthen the country’s role as a transit and logistics hub in the region” – the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development explained. 

As the Minister noted, Georgia is committed to deepening dialogue, exchanging expertise on market development, and supporting a stable, transparent energy framework in line with European principles.

“Strengthening this partnership will contribute to enhanced security, diversified supply routes, and long-term resilience for both our countries. On the same note, I have to highlight the importance of the Black Sea Submarine Cable project which aims to connect South Caucasus Region directly to the South-East Europe via sub-marine cable crossing Black Sea. As a result of this project’s implementation, Europe will be able to connect not only with Georgia, but with the entire South Caucasus region, directly contributing to Energy Security of the EU and Caucasus Region” – Mariam Kvrivishvili highlighted.

The Minister also welcome the decision of the Serbian government to open a resident embassy in Tbilisi in the coming period, which will be another significant step towards deepening partnership between the two countries.

Mariam Kvrivishvili also noted that after the launch of direct flights, visitor numbers from Serbia to Georgia increased notably in the third quarter of 2025. Additionally, impact from the direct flights was evident in the growth of tourists from Serbia to Georgia, reporting the growth by more than 20% in the first quarters of the year.

Mariam Kvrivishvili, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, and Jagoda Lazarević, Minister of Internal and External Trade of the Republic of Serbia, signed a joint statement on the commencement of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Georgia and the Republic of Serbia. 

The second meeting of the Georgia-Serbia Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation was attended by Deputy Ministers of Economy and Sustainable Development, Genadi Arveladze and Irakli Nadareishvili, as well as Ilia Shamugia, Deputy Head of the Administration of the Government of Georgia, and Levan Beridze, Ambassador of Georgia to the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Serbia. 

The second session of the Commission concluded with the bilateral signing of a protocol. The document was signed by Mariam Kvrivishvili, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, and Jagoda Lazarević, Minister of Internal and External Trade of the Republic of Serbia. 

Following the conclusion of the session, Mariam Kvrivishvili held a briefing together with the Co-chair of the Intergovernmental Commission, Jagoda Lazarević, where she spoke about the priority areas and prospects for trade and economic relations between the two countries.