The Government of Georgia intensifies its efforts to foster the country's European and Euro-Atlantic integration, to restore the country's integrity and ensure peace in the region. To this end, our task is to fulfill the assumed responsibilities to the European Union and NATO in full, strengthen our relations with neighboring Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, and Ukraine even further, and take steps toward normalization of relations with Russia.
At the same time, the recent irresponsible statements and actions by the President of Georgia contradict the policy of the Government of Georgia in this direction, tarnish the country's international reputation, and create additional domestic and foreign problems for the new government. I am truly sorry that all this has put the governments of our allies and representatives of international organizations in an awkward situation, for which I extend apologies to them on behalf of the Government of Georgia.
Since we are not protected from similar incidents in the future either, I would like to state that the President of Georgia assumes full personal responsibility for his actions until the completion of his presidential term in October 2013; his visits will not be coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia; and his statements will not represent the position of the Government of Georgia, unless confirmed otherwise by representatives of the country's new government.
