President Saakashvili spoke by phone with Moldovan acting President, Mihai Ghimpu, on July 20 and pledged humanitarian assistance in response to flooding, which hit Moldova earlier this month.

The Georgian President’s administration reported that Georgia would help Moldova in building a settlement for victims of flooding, as well as offered to host 120 Moldovan children from victim families in Georgia’s Black Sea resort of Anaklia.

“Moldova is our friend and ally… and we should definitely provide assistance to them,” Saakashvili said at government session later on July 20.

Tension flared up recently between Moldova and Russia after acting President Ghimpu last month proclaimed June 28 as Soviet Occupation Day. Moldova’s constitution court, however, later canceled the decision.