Saakashvili says he was treated “especially” as symbol of pro-European orientation

Georgia’s former President Mikheil Saakashvili on Tuesday said he was once treated with particular distinction abroad because he was seen as a “symbol of a pro-European orientation” and a “friend of the US president”.

In a post on social media, Saakashvili recalled a visit to Turkmenistan following the death of the country’s longtime leader Saparmurat Niyazov, known as Turkmenbashy, and during the presidential inauguration of the current ruling clan’s head.

“There were around 10 heads of state present - Russia was represented at the level of [Sergei] Naryshkin - but I want to tell you that I was received the best,” Saakashvili wrote.

He said he was accommodated at Turkmenbashy’s residence and transported in the former leader’s official vehicle.

“Why was I treated so especially? Because in their eyes I was a friend of the US president and a symbol of a European orientation,” he said.