Saakashvili praises Lithuania

  • 2005-04-20
KISHINYOV/VILNIUS 's Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has stated support for Lithuania's proposal to mention the situation in Belarus in a Kishinyov declaration.

Saakashvili was speaking at a meeting of the heads of the so-called GUAM group 's Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova 's that started in the Moldovan capital on Friday. The meeting is attended by Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus.

"Lithuania has always been a democratic process leader in the region," the Georgian leader said welcoming the attendants of the meeting.

Saakashvili said he supported Adamkus' proposal to mention Belarus in the declaration as, in the Georgian leader's words, "the country's people have a right to freely express their will as well."

In his speech Saakashvili also thanked Lithuania and the other Baltic states which, in the Georgian president's words, "are actively helping us to integrate and make our voice be heard."