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The situation in Georgia was discussed during the meeting. Commenting on the latest events in the republic, President Putin stressed that the change of leadership in Tbilisi did not come as a surprise to him. He described the resignation of President Eduard Shevardnadze as the natural result of a number of systemic mistakes of the former Government in both domestic and foreign policy.

Mr Putin said that the problem was not that the people lived badly, but that they could no longer see light at the end of the tunnel. He also pointed out that corruption considerably undermined both political and economic life in the country.

At the same time the President expressed concern that the change of Government in Georgia took place against a backdrop of considerable pressure.