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Saakashvili lashes out at Putin's Eurasian Union plan
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/09/14/saakashvili-kommersant/
12:39 - 14.09.13
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili Wednesday went on the offensive
against newly elected Russian president Vladimir Putin's brainchild;
the Eurasian union plan, Democracy&Freeom Watch reported.
Any attempt to resurrect the Soviet corpse in 2012 is destined to be
unsuccessful,' Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili said during a
visit to Azerbaijan.
The first step was taken in November 2011 with the establishment of
the Eurasian Commission, which started work January 1, 2012. Russia,
Belarus and Kazakhstan have set a target to establish the Eurasian
Union by 2015.
Saakashvili was speaking during a working visit to his counterpart
Ilham Aliyev in neighboring Azerbaijan.
Some have seen the Eurasian Union as an attempt to restore the Soviet Union.
Saakashvili said the Soviet Union was destroyed by the people living
there `because people couldn't bear it anymore' and that people in
Azerbaijan and Georgia would never give up their freedom.
He continued outlining his views on Georgia's relationship with its
neighbor Russia.
`It's better having strong neighbors than unstable vassals; better to
have partners than enemies. Despite the propaganda, I don't want to
see a weak Russia. In fact, I dream to see a stable, proud, confident
Russia, which won't threaten other states to prove its power and which
will be able to provide a worthy life for its citizens and not feed
them with nostalgia instead of bread.'
The Georgian president said that Russian patriots are not Georgia's
enemies. They want strong Russia, as Georgians want a strong Georgia,
or Azerbaijanis a strong Azerbaijan.
`They are our partners. One day we will create a common space for
peace and cooperation. We will do this with enthusiasm, because we
cannot change the geography and cannot delete the history. We cannot
do this and do not want to. This is our geography, common history. We
have common past and future to build together with Russia. I am sure
and no one can change my mind that the name of this future will be EU
and NATO. It doesn't mean necessary severing relations with Russia. It
shouldn't mean this,' the Georgian president said.
Recalling his own decision to cancel visa requirements for Russian
citizens, he said this was equal to `sending invitations to 140
million Russians.'
Saakashvili said Azerbaijan and Georgia are confronting common challenges.
`Azerbaijan developed very fast and now is considered a large player
on the international arena. Your membership in the UN Security Council
is proof for this development. As real friend and strategic partner,
Georgia can only be proud of your success. I am here to underline how
vitally important the strategic partnership between our countries is.
Our friendship has been forming for centuries,' Saakashvili said on
the last day of his two day visit to Azerbaijan.
Armenian News - Tert.am
From: Baghdasarian
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/09/14/saakashvili-kommersant/
12:39 - 14.09.13
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili Wednesday went on the offensive
against newly elected Russian president Vladimir Putin's brainchild;
the Eurasian union plan, Democracy&Freeom Watch reported.
Any attempt to resurrect the Soviet corpse in 2012 is destined to be
unsuccessful,' Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili said during a
visit to Azerbaijan.
The first step was taken in November 2011 with the establishment of
the Eurasian Commission, which started work January 1, 2012. Russia,
Belarus and Kazakhstan have set a target to establish the Eurasian
Union by 2015.
Saakashvili was speaking during a working visit to his counterpart
Ilham Aliyev in neighboring Azerbaijan.
Some have seen the Eurasian Union as an attempt to restore the Soviet Union.
Saakashvili said the Soviet Union was destroyed by the people living
there `because people couldn't bear it anymore' and that people in
Azerbaijan and Georgia would never give up their freedom.
He continued outlining his views on Georgia's relationship with its
neighbor Russia.
`It's better having strong neighbors than unstable vassals; better to
have partners than enemies. Despite the propaganda, I don't want to
see a weak Russia. In fact, I dream to see a stable, proud, confident
Russia, which won't threaten other states to prove its power and which
will be able to provide a worthy life for its citizens and not feed
them with nostalgia instead of bread.'
The Georgian president said that Russian patriots are not Georgia's
enemies. They want strong Russia, as Georgians want a strong Georgia,
or Azerbaijanis a strong Azerbaijan.
`They are our partners. One day we will create a common space for
peace and cooperation. We will do this with enthusiasm, because we
cannot change the geography and cannot delete the history. We cannot
do this and do not want to. This is our geography, common history. We
have common past and future to build together with Russia. I am sure
and no one can change my mind that the name of this future will be EU
and NATO. It doesn't mean necessary severing relations with Russia. It
shouldn't mean this,' the Georgian president said.
Recalling his own decision to cancel visa requirements for Russian
citizens, he said this was equal to `sending invitations to 140
million Russians.'
Saakashvili said Azerbaijan and Georgia are confronting common challenges.
`Azerbaijan developed very fast and now is considered a large player
on the international arena. Your membership in the UN Security Council
is proof for this development. As real friend and strategic partner,
Georgia can only be proud of your success. I am here to underline how
vitally important the strategic partnership between our countries is.
Our friendship has been forming for centuries,' Saakashvili said on
the last day of his two day visit to Azerbaijan.
Armenian News - Tert.am
From: Baghdasarian