Georgia, Tbilisi, June 7 / Trend N.Kirtskhalia /
Georgia is free in its foreign policy and does not feel the pressure of the U.S., Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said at a meeting with teachers in Tbilisi on Thursday.
In this way he responded to opposition claims that if previously Georgia had obeyed Moscow, now it obeys Washington.
The president has called the recognition of Kosovo as an indicator of independently pursued policy.
"The United States recognized Kosovo, but we didn't. We have never felt pressure on this issue. The U.S. authorities have never tried to dictate any terms and conditions to us. If earlier Russia forced Georgia to accept its decisions, the United States exerts no such pressure as this is a democratic country and for it such principles of relations are unacceptable. We are free in our policy," the president said.
Saakashvili said that Georgia and the U.S. share common ideology and principles.
"These are freedom and democracy, to which our American colleagues call on us," he said.