OREANDA-NEWS. May 8, 2009. In his address to Georgian citizens Dmitry Medvedev congratulated Great Patriotic War veterans and people of Georgia on the 64th anniversary of Victory.

The address reads:

“I sincerely congratulate you on our common, great holiday that is Victory Day.

On May 9 we honour our fathers and grandfathers who fought shoulder to shoulder on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War, crushed fascism, upheld our freedom, and influenced the entire course of world history.

The joint struggle against fascist invaders is one of the most memorable and heroic pages in the centuries-old chronicles of Russian-Georgian friendship. We will never forget that it was a Russian, Mikhail Yegorov, and a Georgian, Meliton Kantaria, who hoisted the flag on top of the disarmed Reichstag.

Our common historical heritage and tradition of good-neighbourliness and partnership remains a solid foundation for the restoration of trust and mutual understanding between our peoples, peoples who have never been enemies. And despite the fact that today relations between Russia and Georgia are being subjected to severe tests, direct human contacts, cooperation between social and cultural organisations, and links between Russian and Georgian Orthodox churches continue unabated. All this gives us hope that the mutual attraction between two spiritually kindred nations will help us work together and develop mutually beneficial, partner relations.

On this day I wish Great Patriotic War veterans health and well-being and the entire Georgian people peace, kindness and harmony!”