Foreign Secretary’s message of condolence to people of Georgia
William Hague has sent a message of condolence to the people of Georgia, following the death of former President Eduard Shevardnadze.
Speaking today, the Foreign Secretary said:
I was saddened to hear of the death of Eduard Shevardnadze. Our thoughts are with the former President’s family and friends, and the people of Georgia at this time.
Mr Shevardnadze was a remarkable man whose foresight as Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union in the 1980s was instrumental in helping to bring an end to the Cold War. His contribution to bringing stability to Georgia in the early 1990s further marked him out as a significant political figure, both regionally and on the world stage.
As Georgia’s second President after independence, he also played a significant role in laying the foundations for closer ties with Europe.
Twenty years later, Georgia has made significant progress on this path. We look forward to continuing to work closely with its government and people, as they further integrate with the Euro-Atlantic area.
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