Saakashvili Hails Charter with U.S.

President Saakashvili hailed the Georgia-U.S. Charter on Strategic Partnership as a step forward towards the west and confirmation of Georgia’s democratic achievements.

Speaking at a briefing on January 10, Saakashvili listed several points, which he said were of major importance about the Charter.

“The first one is that Georgia for the first time in its recent history starts establishing itself as part of the international system,” he said. “The second important aspect of this document is that through this Georgia is getting significantly closer to the Euro-Atlantic space.”

“Although we have a long and difficult way ahead towards [NATO], this Charter is definitely a step forwards towards the Euro-Atlantic space,” he added.

“The third important aspect is that if there have been any doubts either within the country or outside, the document has confirmed that Georgia has a success in respect of democracy development; Georgia is a democratic country and we have a democratic society… I think signing of this document demonstrates once again that Georgia is a full-valued democracy,” Saakashvili said and also added that any democracy needed further development and improvements.

“The fourth important aspect is that Georgia and the United States are moving into an absolutely new level of relations,” he continued. “Never before this term – strategic partnership – has been used in our relationships and of course this is very important step made towards the strengthening of Georgia’s positions; its security and welfare of our people.”

“The fifth important aspect about this Charter is that there is a consolidated support towards this document in the society,” Saakashvili said. Most of the opposition parties said they welcomed the Charter with the U.S. The Labor Party was an exception.

“Another important factor about this document is that we are launching working on a free trade agreement with the Unite States,” Saakashvili added.

He also said that although the Charter was signed with the outgoing U.S. administration, the incoming one supported close cooperation with Georgia.

“I had a very positive conversation with the President-elect Obama [in November],” Saakashvili said. “I am satisfied that he is Georgia’s active supporter and is well aware of the problems of this region.”

Saakashvili also said that he did “not want anyone to have an illusion that this document can resolve all of our problems immediately.”

“Significant part of our territory is occupied by a foreign, aggressive force and this force continues its aggressive games not only vis-à-vis Georgia, but also already with the significant part of Europe [reference to Russia-Ukraine gas dispute],” he said. “Today Georgia is not in a normal condition – we are under the threat of aggression… Unfortunately, this is part of our life; but isolated, aggressive, unreliable, corrupt regime, based on dictatorship has no future in the 21st century.”

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