IRI Co-hosts Georgian President Saakashvili

July 7, 2006

The International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute today co-sponsored a roundtable discussion with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. The event brought together leaders of approximately 20 U.S.-based organizations and corporations that work in development arenas in Georgia.

IRI President Lorne Craner welcomed President Saakashvili to Washington and opened the floor for discussion on the state of Georgia’s political, judicial and economic reforms. President Saakashvili talked about Georgia’s path to NATO membership, its relations with the Commonwealth of Independence States and the West, as well as the future of these relations. He noted the improvements made in the Georgian government since the Rose Revolution in 2003, with special emphasis on anti-corruption efforts, enforcement of the law and judicial reform. Following his speech, President Saakashvili took questions from the audience and discussed Georgia’s international political and economic orientation, Georgia’s political future, and the state of human rights in Georgia.

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