Georgia, Ukraine Propose Regional Coalition of Democratic Nations

Presidents of Ukraine and Georgia, Victor Yushchenko and Mikheil Saakashvili signed a joint declaration on cooperation on August 12 in the governmental residence in Likani near the Georgian resort town of Borjomi.

The declaration envisages an initiative on the creation of, as Ukrainian President Yushchenko put it, ?a coalition of democratic nations of the region.?

?If we create a model for protecting democratic values then we will be able to live in a prosperous region. This is our initiative,? Yushchenko added.

?This joint declaration mainly deals with the protection of the values of democracy and freedom. Now we have an initiative to organize a conference in Ukraine this autumn with the participation of the democratic nations of the region. Representatives from Russia, the EU and the United States will also be invited,? Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said at a joint news conference with Victor Yushchenko after signing the declaration.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian)