“Georgia possesses a very big hydropower potential. We will ensure transportation of electric power from Russia and Azerbaijan to Turkey via our territory. And also jointly with Turkey we will try to develop the Georgian hydropower industry that is currently used not to the full,” Saakashvili said.
Georgian Energy Minister Nika Gilauri had said that “Georgia is among the first countries in Europe in terms of the hydropower potential.” “However, only 11-12 percent of these resources are used. We want to develop this sphere and signed with Turkey a protocol of intent on joint building of a hydropower plant in Georgia with the capacity of 100 megawatts,” Gilauri said.
The Georgian president also said at the meeting that “according to this year's statistics, every fifth Georgian citizen has visited Turkey and every twelfth – Russia.” “Earlier Russia has been our window to the world and now Turkey has become it,” the Georgian president emphasised.
Saakashvili also said that in spring next year, Georgia and Turkey will sign an agreement on freed trade under which no duties will be imposed on a great amount of various products.
