Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik of Norway today sent the following letter to President Mikhail Saakashvili of Georgia:

“Dear Mr President,

On behalf of the Norwegian Government, I wish to extend my deepest condolences on the death of Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania. It is only a few months since I had the pleasure of meeting him in Nairobi.

Mr Zhvania’s role in the reform process in Georgia and in the search for a peaceful solution to the conflict in South Ossetia has been highly valued by the international community. I am confident that his vision of a prosperous and peaceful Georgia to which he devoted his life will be carried forward. The late Prime Minister will also be remembered in Norway for his contribution to developing the bilateral relations between Norway and Georgia. My thoughts are with his bereaved family.

Yours sincerely,

Kjell Magne Bondevik”