MOSCOW (Itar-Tass)–Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said during an interview with Itar-Tass–that he is confident of the partnership Georgia has with Azerbaijan and Armenia–and that Georgia intends to establish closer relations with Iran.
Speaking of the "very good" relationship he has established with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev–Saakashvili described the Azeri leader as a "new-generation president," who is easy to work with."Ilham Aliyev and I have the same education and experience. It is easier for us to understand eachother because of our age."
Stressing the importance of the alliance with Azerbaijan–Saakashvili says that it is an important partner for Georgia–"just as Armenia is."
He also spoke of Georgia’s intentions to establish closer relations with Iran–explaining–"We have good relations with Iran–but I would like them to be better."
The Georgian president said that his Iranian counterpart–Sayed Mohammad Khatami–left a very good impression when the two recently met in Davos.
Pointing to Iran’s relations with Armenia–Saakashvili noted–"Our neighbor Armenia has good relations with Iran–and we would also like to establish closer relations with Tehran."
He spoke of the prospects of increased Iranian involvement in various commercial projects in the South Caucasus–including in Georgia–and revealed that a Georgian-Iranian intergovernmental committee on economic issues is being restored.
"Georgian-Iranian cooperation has serious prospects," he emphasized.