President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin extended heartfelt congratulations to President Mikheil Saakashvili and to the Georgian people on the Independence Day of Georgia over the telephone conversation with the Georgian President.

During the phone conversation the two Presidents put an emphasis on the withdrawal of Russian bases from the Georgian territory and expressed their satisfaction with the progress over this issue.

The two Presidents also mentioned that appropriate conditions to insure timely withdrawal of the bases from the Georgian territory would be created.

Communications Office
of the President of Georgia