The President of Georgia granted Georgian citizenship to former President of Latvia, Valdis Zatlers (2007-2011) and Madam Lilita Zatlere for their special merit before the Georgian State. The Head of State also decorated Valdis Zatlers with the Presidential Order of Excellence.

As the President of Georgia noted during the decoration ceremony, Valdis Zatlers has a special merit before Georgia, as relentless supporter of Georgia on the international arena and contributor in its foreign policy in terms of strengthening the group of Georgia’s friends. According to Mikheil Saakashvili it was Zaters’ initiative to reform this group in a new format in 2008, by the help of which the country handled the hardest challengers. As the President noted, he remains a faithful friend of Georgia on the road to a common European family.

In his turn, Valdis Zatlers thanked the President of Georgia for granting citizenship and awarding him with a state decoration and stated that he will remain faithful to Georgia and the Georgian people till the end of his life.