Georgian PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili spoke by phone with Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani on February 8 and told him that Tbilisi is considering re-introducing visa free rules for the Iranian citizens.

The phone conversation, according to the Georgian PM’s office, was held upon the Georgian side’s initiative to discuss “a huge potential” for bilateral trade and economic relations.

It also said that the Georgian PM congratulated the Iranian President on lifting of nuclear-related international sanctions against Tehran.

“Developments in the region were also discussed with focus on the importance of security for the development of the region,” the Georgian PM’s office said.

The Iranian President’s office said that Hassan Rouhani told the Georgian PM that “abolition of visas can develop the level of cooperation.”

According to the Georgian PM’s office, Kvirikashvili noted “close cultural relations between the Georgian and Iranian people and expressed hope for deepening ties in tourism.”

“It was noted that the Georgian side will take concrete steps in this regard, involving lifting visa regime with Iran,” the Georgian PM’s office said.

Georgia and Iran signed an agreement on 45-day visa-free travel rules in November, 2010 when then Foreign Minister of Iran visited Georgia. The agreement went into force in late January, 2011. But Georgia unilaterally revoked the visa-free rules with Iran in July, 2013.

According to the Iranian President’s office, Rouhani said that Georgia can serve as a link for Iran’s economic cooperation with the Black Sea region.

It also said that the Georgian PM invited President Rouhani to pay an official visit to Tbilisi.

Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili said in his annual state of the nation address in Parliament on February 3 that lifting of nuclear-related sanctions from Iran and “opening of Iran’s economic potential” create additional “opportunities” for Georgia.