Russian Ambassador Submits Credentials to Saakashvili

Russian Ambassador to Georgia Vyacheslav Kovalenko submitted his credentials to President Saakashvili on January 31.

?Russia is interested in a stable situation in the Caucasus, in the resolution of conflicts, which are holdovers of the past. We will undertake all the necessary measures to solve these problems in a fair manner. I want to ensure you, Mr. President, that in my new capacity of [ambassador] I will contribute to the development of mutually beneficial and fruitful cooperation between our countries,? Ambassador Kovalenko told President Saakashvili.

?I am really very glad to see you and to receive your credentials. It is really impossible to overestimate importance of relations with Russia for my people – relations that are based on traditionally mutual sympathy between the two people, on our mutual historic destiny and on our common interests. All this is a very important foundation for our future relations,? President Saakashvili told the Russian Ambassador.

?We have noticed that rhetoric has been toned-down and sobriety has prevailed recently in our relations. And we hope that after we remove all the restrictions imposed [on Georgia], we are ready to build relations and deepen dialogue over all the issues which are of mutual interest, including regional security, bilateral relations. I am absolutely sure that prosperous, united, multi-national Georgia will be a reliable partner for Russia not only in bilateral issues, but also in regional security and the international arena. We hope to have very fruitful cooperation,? Saakashvili added.

Kovalenko, who was appointed as Russia?s Ambassador to Georgia in July 2006, was recalled by Moscow in late September after a spy row erupted between the two countries. Russia sent the ambassador back to Tbilisi this month.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)