Georgia, Tbilisi, May 29 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili has opened a new 5-star President Plaza hotel in the center of Batumi on Tuesday.
He and his spouse Sandra Roelofs visited the building and talked to the staff.
The President touched on the tourist potential of Batumi and paid special attention to the importance of implementing similar projects.
The President said that many local people are employed in works implemented in Batumi, which contributes to solving the problem of unemployment.
Saakashvili welcomed the fact that 60 people began to work at the hotel, which means 60 more families have revenue.
"Some 400,000-450,000 people will live in Batumi in the coming years, and new facilities, new jobs mean the promotion and development of the country," the head of the state said.
New hotel with 35 rooms including several suites and one presidential suite will begin a reception from today.
President Plaza was built through local investments and 14 million lari ($ 1 = 1.63 lari) was invested in the work.
The President and First Lady headed for an official visit to Latvia from Batumi. According to the administration of President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili will be received by his colleague Andris Berzins at the presidential palace in Riga. After the meeting, the presidents issued a joint statement.
Georgian president will also hold talks with Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, chairman of the Sejm Solvita Aboltina and other officials during the visit on May 29-30.
The President of Georgia will also participate in the Georgian-Latvian Business Forum, opening of the bas-relief of Shota Rustaveli in Riga, the photo exhibition on the participation of Georgian troops in NATO operations in Afghanistan.