George Bush says Mikhail Saakashvili is his friend

Mikhail Saakashvili and George Bush met for the first time at the White House yesterday. They talked for 45 minutes and then attended a joint press conference.

'I like Mr Saakashvili. He is our friend and we share the same values,' Mr Bush said. The US president said he followed the course of the Georgian revolution with interest and described it as 'an example and historic moment for the whole world.' Mr Bush also praised Mr Saakashvilis's work to establish democracy and complimented 'the Georgian president on his efforts to get rid of corruption.' In his turn, Mr Saakashvili said 'I am very proud to be described a friend of George Bush and the US.' He mentioned that the US had given Georgia support in its most difficult periods.

'I really appreciate the work that is being done by the Georgian president to establish closer relations with Russia,' US President George Bush announced at the White House yesterday. As Rosbalt reports, he made this announcement at a press conference after a meeting with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili.

According to Mr Bush 'it is important for Georgia to have good relations with Russia.' However, he also warned that Russia must meet the requirements of the Istambul agreement of 1999 and withdraw its military bases from Georgian territory.

Mr Saakashvili said he had met Russian President Vladimir Putin. 'Our dialogue will continue and our relations with Russia will improve,' he emphasized.