Azernews.Az

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has said the transition of power to Georgia's new government will be peaceful in an effort to further ease fears ratcheted up ahead of this month's national elections, Radio Liberty reported.

Saakashvili made his statement after meeting with Georgian Dream coalition leader Bidzina Ivanishvili on October 9, the first such meeting since Ivanishvili's coalition won at least 83 seats in the 150-member parliament in elections on October 1.

The two must work together despite bitter campaign charges and countercharges, as Ivanishvili is expected to become prime minister and Saakashvili's second and final term as president ends after an election a year from now.

Ivanishvili unveiled candidates for his cabinet earlier this week.

Ivanishvili, a billionaire businessman who campaigned on intentions to improve soured relations with Russia, said after the talks with Saakashvili that his positions on Georgia's foreign policy coincide with Saakashvili's.

He also stressed that he would pursue his country's integration with NATO and the European Union.

The two politicians did not elaborate on the other issues they discussed at their meeting, which was held behind closed doors.