Former Prime Minister of Georgia, businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili stated that the country's authorities are doing everything possible to normalize relations with Russia.
"The pro-Western course does not mean that we won't respect our neighbors and won't consider their interests," he noted in an open letter.
"On the contrary, our strategy envisages the establishment of friendly relations with neighboring and not only neighboring countries," he added.
"We will do everything possible, to normalize relations with Russia without compromising the interests of Georgia. In addition, we will deepen ties with important partners and friends - with Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia," he pointed out.
At the same time, Ivanishvili stated that the Euro-Atlantic direction is clearly an external course and waymark for Georgia.
"We must understand that the issue of Georgia's accession to the EU is not on the immediate agenda. We will also have to wait some time before we will become members of NATO, since it is a part of complex geopolitical process, and it depends not only on our desire and readiness," Sputnik Georgia quoted his letter.
Ivanishvili also promised to use all of his resources to ensure that supporters of ex-President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili from "United National Movement" party won't return to power.
"I strongly annoy Saakashvili's team, since I'm a major obstacle in the fight for return to power for them, and they are right about that," he stressed.
"I will definitely use all of my resources so that they could not turn the clock back and could not turn the country into a laboratory for sadistic experiments once again," he assured.
Ivanishvili explained that he has no personal interests associated with the forthcoming parliamentary elections, however he intends to actively participate in the election campaign of the ruling party "Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia".
"My only concern is for the case, the foundation of which was laid by our ancestors, to be finished succesfully over the next 10-15 years, then I would have a happy life in Georgia together with you," his letter says.
He said that he plans "to travel around all regions during the pre-election period and speak on television."
"During the meetings with the public, I will talk about specific challenges, facing the country, will answer the questions of reporters and Facebook users about the government's activities ... and about all the major issues, on the basis of which we must make a political choice. I am sure that we will win once again," Ivanishvili stressed.
