The President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili is on his official visit to Romania. He already met his Romanian counterpart and Prime Minister in Bucharest. The sides discussed the relations between two countries and the future plans. The issues of NATO and EU integration and economic cooperation was discussed during the meetings as well. Mikheil Saakashvili visited Antimoz Iverieli Cathedral in Bucharest, where the Leader of Romanian Orthodox Church received him. The Leader of Romanian Orthodox Church expressed his will on cooperation between two countries. His Holiness Daniel granted the President of Georgia with a book of prayers written by Antimoz Iverieli and assessed Georgian five cross flag as the symbol of bravery and honor to Orthodox Church. Mikheil Saakashvili granted his Holiness with the Icon of Holly Trinity and a gold bowl. The President of Georgia stressed his attention on saving Georgian historical monuments and Georgian holly treasure..JPG)
"Our spiritual bonds represent a very important bridge built on Black Sea. The fact that Orthodox Romania is a very successful member of EU gives hope to Georgia. We have restored our flag, though there still are some politicians who do not recognize this flag and wish to return old flags. It is very important that the Georgian people love this flag with all their heart. The representatives of ethnic minorities, among them those who are not Christians have adopted it as their national symbol. We are very proud of this flag. No one will be able to change it", Mikheil Saakasvili said during his conversation with Romanian Patriarch. His Holiness Daniel, on his side, pointed out that only love will strengthen Georgia and Romania. As he admitted Georgia will become part of modern Europe. After the meeting with the Patriarch Mikheil Saakashvili made a comment:
"Antimoz Iverieli, a very famous and great Patriarch of Romania was Georgian. Besides you know that Grigol Peradze was recognized as a saint by Romanian Church. In Bulgaria there is a monastery founded by Peter Iveri. All these are Georgian cultural and historical monuments and represent the huge strength for Georgia. We must correctly perceive and pass to the future generation the history of Georgia. This is why we have to protect these monuments. You know that Georgian monuments are practically destroyed in Turkey and because of various bureaucratic reasons the signing of an agreement was cancelled. But we have to speed up this process, because we have no right to lose our history. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture have received a serious task in this direction and we going to work very seriously", Mikheil Saakashvili said.
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Before coming to the Cathedral the Georgian delegation held meetings in the Parliament of Romania. Mikheil Saakashvili met the Chairmen of Upper and Lower Houses. At the negotiation table the Romanian side once again expressed support to Georgia on the way to NATO and EU integration. The Chairman of the Upper House noted that the fortune of Georgian people and Georgia is important not only for Romania, but for EU as well.
Tbilisi received a political and economic support from Bucharest as well. Several agreements were signed. "I am glad I once again meet you here. I will never forget that Romania was the first country, who recognized our independence. You were one of the first leaders who on behalf of European organizations came to Georgia after the Rose Revolution. It clearly showed who our partner was and wished to help us. There are many problems in the region, but we do not try to avoid them. The cooperation between Georgia and Romania in the Black Sea region can bring good perspectives", Mikheil Saakashvili stated during his meeting with Mircha Dzhoane. .JPG)
The Romanian governemtn representatives state that Romania will activate its support to Georgia until the NATO Summit, in order for Georgia to become NATO member as soon as it is possible. After Bucharest the President of Georgia will depart to Constanza, where he will held meetings with business circles.