ANKARA/TBILISI - State Minister Besir Atalay arrived early on Sunday in Tbilisi to attend oath-taking ceremony of Mikhail Saakashvili who was elected the new President of Georgia.
Speaking to reporters prior to his departure from Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Atalay said that Saakashvili had been elected the head of state with great support of Georgian people on January 4, adding that he would represent Turkey at the oath-taking ceremony.
Stressing that Turkey had been extending great support to Georgia since it had acquired its independence, Atalay said, ''Turkey continued its support to Georgia also during the election process. Turkey really continues extending support to protection of Georgia's territorial integrity, providing social prosperity and order. As an expression of this support and neighborhood, I am going to attend the oath ceremony.''
Stressing that Turkey is one of the six participating countries in the ceremony, Atalay said other invited countries are the United States, Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Ukraine.
Atalay added that he would probably have meetings with representatives of other countries.
Atalay is expected to return to Turkey after attending the ceremony.
(MS-UK) 25.01.2004