The President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili commented on the statement made by the President of the Russian Federation Dimitry Medvedev, and noted that he had answered all questions raised during the Russia-Georgian war. He said that if the whole world was interested how the August events started, Dimitry Medvedev has answered all these questions unanimously. Mikheil Saakashvili said that Tbilisi would not follow testimonies of the Cremlin leaders. He believes that it is very important to find the ways how to overcome the financial crisis at this moment.

" By these remarks of the Russian President - if somebody had any doubts in the world, in Russia or even in our country, if somebody had any questions about what has happened in August - this person has given a clear-cut answer to it. I was thinking much what the reason of this open acknowledgment of their aggression was after four months from the war. I think that - and it troubles me as it concerns us - there is a serious economic crisis in Russia, there are serious social protests, serious internal tension and political struggle - and this acknowledgement and also new aggressive threats serve to distract attention from all of these problems.

What should we do in this situation? We are sure that the way towards our unification and peace passes through Georgia's internal strengthening. It means that we should do our best - under conditions when the crisis is raging in Russia and in the rest of the world - to rescue and maintain Georgian economy, to preserve our economy, to maintain and develop Georgia's stability and to become stronger and everything will be all right", stated the President of Georgia.

The President of Russia said during his televised statement that Russia had been preparing for the August war.

December 25, 2008 / 11:37

The President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili congratulated his Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia Ilia II with 31 first anniversary of his enthronization

The President of Georgia visited Sameba Cathedral today, where he attended liturgy dedicated to the 31 anniversary of enthronization of his Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia Ilia II.

Mikheil Saakashvili congratulated the Patriarch on this event and asked him to prey for every Georgian. The President stated that the enthronization of the Patriarch is great celebration. Mikheil Saakashvili spoke about the role of the church, about the great services of Ilia II for his homeland and said that the church is the basis of Georgian unity.

"We have to understand that our salvation is in keeping our traditions, trust and strengthening of unity among different ethnicities", noted the President.

He said that many civilizations stopped their existence in the course of centuries, but Georgia overcame all obstacles and it exists still. The President said that it is the merit of the Georgian Orthodox church.

Mikheil Saakashvili visited the exhibition dedicated to this anniversary today as well.

Communications Office
of the President of Georgia