Saakashvili, Yushchenko Sign Joint Declaration

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and Ukrainian President-elect Victor Yushchenko signed, on January 5, a joint declaration reiterating their two nation?s European aspirations and further democratic development, Interfax news agency reported.

The declaration, which was signed in the western Ukrainian ski resort of Tisovets, reads that the Georgian and Ukrainian people ?have demonstrated to the world that freedom and democracy, the people?s will and fair elections are much more powerful than the state machine.?

The both leaders also rejected allegations that ?a peaceful, democratic revolution can be triggered artificially, through the involvement of external forces.?

?Our countries will continue moving towards the building of a united democratic Europe and development of good relationships with neighboring countries,? the joint declaration by the two Presidents reads.

The Georgian President left for Ukraine on December 31 and intends to welcome the Orthodox Christmas on January 7 with Ukrainian President-elect Victor Yushchenko.