Russian Patriarch and Foreign Minister congratulate President-elect

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Kirill congratulated President-elect of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili. The congratulation letter was published on the Russian Orthodox Churchs official web-page.   "I hope, your activity on the post of the president will open the new page in the history of the relations of Georgia and Russia, which people are connected with mutual religion and the general moral and cultural values", mentioned Patriarch Kirill in his message.

The day after the elections, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov congratulated Georgians on fair elections. He mentioned that the future relationship between Russia and Georgia depends on Georgias government.

"We wish to the Georgian people to finish somewhat quicker all organizational issues on formation of the new authorities. We will hope that on the Russian direction, these authorities will pursue friendly relationships, good neighborhood, considering modern realities in this complicated region. As for an assessment of these elections in a context of future development of the Russian-Georgian relations, everything depends on Georgian authorities. I can say the same about the restoration of diplomatic relations. said Sergei Lavrov.

The Georgian government cut diplomatic relations with the Russia Federation after the August War in 2008.