Georgia congratulates newly elected President of Latvia

Georgia’s high officials are congratulating Raimonds Vejonis on being elected as the new President of Latvia.

The elections in Latvia were held yesterday, where Vejonis was officially chosen as the Baltic state’s new president after he won the secret ballot in which 55 out of 100 legislators backed him. This result saw Vejonis become the 28-member European Union’s first Green Party head of state.

Vejonis, 48, replaced Andris Berzins as President of Latvia.

Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili released an official statement today congratulating Vejonis on his election victory.

It is my great pleasure to convey to you my sincere congratulations on the occasion of your election as the President of the Republic of Latvia. I am convinced that under your leadership the long-lasting friendship and cooperation between Georgia and the Republic of Latvia will be further strengthened and deepened for the mutual benefit of our two nations,” Margvelashvili’s statement said.

The Georgian official also invited his newly elected counterpart to visit Georgia.

We truly appreciate your unwavering support for Georgia’s democracy, independence and our European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Taking this opportunity, I would like to invite you to pay a visit to Georgia. I would be pleased to welcome you in Tbilisi to further our partnership,” he said.

Congratulations were also offered by head of the Georgian Government Irakli Garibashvili. He stressed Vejonis’ election as Latvia’s president would contribute to deepening the country’s enduring friendship with Georgia.

I am sure that your personal contribution will strengthen traditional friendship and partnership relations between Georgia and Latvia in favour of our states. We value your support of Georgia on our Euro-Atlantic integration way,” Garibashvili said.

Meanwhile Georgia’s Defence Minister Tinatin Khidasheli congratulated Vejonis - Latvia’s former Defence Minister – on his presidential election victory.

I congratulate my former counterpart on his election as President of Latvia. I wish his country and the whole world peace and great success,” she said.

Minister Khidasheli expressed hope that the current level of cooperation between two states will be "as vigorous and intensive” as it was during his tenure as Defence Minister.