During the meeting with the Georgian counterpart in Batumi on July 4, Estonian President, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, has called on Georgia to continue with political and economic reforms started after the Rose Revolution, the Estonian President’s office said on Tuesday.

He reiterated, that democracy and the economic welfare were “closely intertwined” and important for the European integration. 

“Europe means protection of freedom of speech, a state based on the rule of law and democracy, even when it may seem a bit uncomfortable for the authorities,” the Estonian President said in remarks released by his office.

He also said that countries, which share these principles, could rely upon the support and trust of other democratic countries.

Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who reiterated Estonia’s support to Georgia’s territorial integrity, also said that Georgia could set an example for fighting corruption, economic reforms, as well as in contributing NATO-led operations in Afghanistan.

He also said that Estonia was willing to share its successful experience of becoming part of EU and Trans-Atlantic community.

President Saakashvili said after the meeting with his Estonian counterpart, that Georgia’s “future is of course in European Union and establishment of European democratic state.”

“I want to thank [the Estonian President] for his support not only towards Georgia’s NATO integration, but also for supporting EU’s open door policy; he [the Estonian President] stated about it for several times,” Saakashvili said.