On the eve of inauguration of Giorgi Margvelashvili as Georgia’s new president, U.S. President Barack Obama congratulated Georgia and praised the role of outgoing president Saakashvili and outgoing PM Ivanishvili for "strengthening" country’s democratic institutions.

“On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the people of Georgia as they celebrate the inauguration of a new President and mark the first time a presidential transition has taken place as the result of a peaceful, democratic election.  I extend my warm congratulations to President Giorgi Margvelashvili on his inauguration day,” Obama said in a statement on November 16.

“The path to this day was marked by the contributions of many distinguished political leaders over the past twenty years, including outgoing President Mikheil Saakashvili and Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, who have both played a vital role in strengthening Georgia’s democratic institutions, together with civil society and the people of Georgia.  We appreciate what these two leaders have accomplished during their respective tenures and look forward to working with their successors to continue the strong and deep bonds that the United States and Georgia have enjoyed for over twenty years,” reads the statement.

“Georgia is making significant progress in consolidating democratic institutions, including through its commitments under the Open Government Partnership and its promotion of women’s participation in public life, and is moving forward on the path to fulfilling its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.”

“As we mark this momentous political transition, I call on all of Georgia’s political leaders to work together, and continue to work with civil society, to build on this achievement,” President Obama said in the statement.