Armenian president to attend inauguration of Georgian counterpart

YEREVAN, December 11 /ARKA/. An Armenian delegation headed by President Armen Sarkissian will travel to neighboring Georgia to attend the inauguration ceremony of its newly elected President Salome Zurabishvili, slated for December 16 in the historical town of Telavi.br

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Zurabishvili was elected president November 28 in the second round of elections. Her candidacy was nbsp;supported by the ruling party Georgian Dream, while her rival Grigol Vashadze was backed by the former ruling United National Movement nbsp;and 10 organizations. The French-born ex-diplomat had 59% of the vote with rival Grigol Vashadze on 40%.br

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It was the last direct election of a Georgian president, as the country is switching to a parliamentary system, following constitutional reforms adopted last year. A new constitution is due to come into force, making the role of president largely ceremonial. - 0—br

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