Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, David Songulashvili, is paying a working visit to the Republic of Türkiye

As part of the visit, Mr David Songulashvili met with the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye, Mr Ibrahim Yumaklı.

During the meeting, the parties discussed opportunities to further strengthen cooperation between Georgia and Türkiye in the fields of environmental protection and agriculture.

Particular attention was paid to the importance of promoting bilateral trade in agri-food products.

Mr Songulashvili thanked the Turkish side for allowing the export of Georgian honey to the Turkish market, noting that this creates new opportunities for Georgian beekeepers to increase exports while providing Turkish consumers with access to high-quality honey distinguished by its unique taste and characteristics.

The Counterpart Ministers also discussed the prospects for exporting live animals, meat, and meat products from Georgia to Türkiye, including transit opportunities through Turkish territory.

The discussion also covered animal vaccination issues; Mr David Songulashvili expressed his gratitude to his Turkish counterpart for the support provided in this area last year, while Mr Ibrahim Yumaklı highlighted the potential for further cooperation.

The parties noted that both Georgia and the Republic of Türkiye are implementing large-scale measures to combat the brown marmorated stink bug as part of efforts to support agricultural production. Ultimately, they agreed to continue implementing coordinated spraying campaigns and other effective pest-control measures in border areas to contain and eradicate the pest. 

The discussion addressed issues related to forest management and the development of irrigation and drainage systems.

As part of the meeting, the parties signed Memoranda of Understanding on cooperation in irrigation infrastructure development and forestry management. These agreements will facilitate the exchange of expertise and support the implementation of joint projects between the two countries.