The President of Georgia participated in a meeting organized by Arseni Iatseniuk’s “Discover Ukraine” Foundation. “Region at a crossroad: European Prospect for Georgia and Ukraine” was the topic of discussion during the meeting.

Mikheil Saakashvili discussed the democratic transfer of power in Georgia, parliamentary elections and recent events in the country with the participants. The Head of State drew attention to the achievements in the recent years, and noted that the most important thing now is for the country not to go back to the past. According to him, progress must continue, the political situation must stabilize and promises given to people must be fulfilled.

“What we have achieved must either develop or go back to the past – at a place where we were before. I don’t think either of these scenarios is impossible. We also have problems -arrests. If anyone thinks that political issues can be solved by arrests, I believe otherwise” – stated the President of Georgia.

The meeting began with an address by Arseni Iatseniuk, who drew a parallel between the occurrences and political processes in Ukraine and Georgia, and expressed interest in the action plan by Mikheil Saakashvili.

“The goal of this meeting is to learn from you what prospect your country has in terms of the European Union, what prospects we have and probably discuss what is happening in our countries today. Having a lot of things in common does not mean good things and unfortunately what is now happening in Georgia reminds me of Ukraine. Mr. President, we have a lot in common also in terms that the new Government of Georgia began persecution or criminal law persecution of members of your Government. Just like you, we have European prospects and this is why it is important to discuss what this prospect will be like. We have a lot in common in the sense that you and I are in opposition today and this is a good time. This is why we would like to hear from you what the fate of a country friendly to us will be like – Georgia; what are the prospects like in terms of integration in the EU, and in what direction we must move because we only need advancement” – noted the founder of the foundation.

After the address by the President, the meeting continued in Q/A format.The first President of Ukraine, Leonid Kravchuk (1991-1994) also attended the meeting along with experts. Leonid Kravchuk addressed Mikheil Saakashvili and named Georgia as an exemplary country in terms of reforms and political changes in the recent years.

“I want to thank you for coming to Ukraine during such a time and sharing your experience which I believe is priceless for our country. I would like to listen to your personal opinion. How do you perceive what is happening now? We live in worse conditions – corruption, no morality, poverty…I used to say: it is good that Georgia exists – the only country that proves that it is possible to start life over from the beginning. I would wish for Georgia to stay as an exemplary country despite the change of power. I am grateful to you for doing this. You will enter the history of post-soviet states as a man who decided to start life in a new way” – noted the first President of Ukraine.