"President Margvelashvili deserves respect ... He has taken upon himself a consolatory role in these difficult times"

"President Margvelashvili deserves respect. He has taken upon himself a consolatory role in these difficult times," Georgia's third president Mikheil Saakashvili said in a letter from the Gori military hospital after his meeting with Giorgi Margvelashvili. The letter was presented to the public by his lawyer Dito Sadzaglishvili.

First of all I want to thank the fourth President of Georgia Mr. Giorgi Margvelashvili.

I had a very interesting, informative and comprehensive meeting with him. Despite serious political differences in the past, I can't help but mention that President Margvelashvili is worthy of respect. I would like to underline several factors why:

The fact that he, unlike many, has not used his position for personal enrichment and is living the life of an ordinary person after the presidency is particularly valuable to me.

I was convinced that this is very close to the plight of people. I do not doubt his patriotism and pro-Western orientation. I also appreciate his initiatives on dialogue between the current and former presidents to end political justice. He absolutely accurately and boldly expresses the reality that I am indeed Putin's personal captive.

One cannot help but appreciate that he has taken upon himself a consolatory role in these troubled times. This is what Georgia needs the most right now and in this regard both Salome Zurabishvili and Giorgi Margvelashvili can fulfill a truly historic mission.

That's why I support the initiative of President Zurabishvili, even if the chances are minimal, as Nika Melia said today. I reiterate my readiness and I discussed this with Giorgi at the meeting of the three presidents without any personal request on my part (especially regarding the pardon).

In addition, Giorgi and I share concerns about the situation of the hunger strikers, and I appreciate his initiative to visit them and share his vision and our common concerns," Mikheil Saakashvili wrote after his meeting with Giorgi Margvelashvili.