Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze met with the newly appointed French Ambassador to Georgia, Olivier Courteau, the Tbilisi City Hall reports.

According to City Hall, Kaladze thanked the ambassador for his visit and wished him success in his diplomatic mission.

“I express the deep respect of the Georgian people and myself for France and the French nation. I wish you success in strengthening relations between Georgia and France. We are ready for friendship and cooperation,” said Kaladze.

Ambassador Courteau, in turn, congratulated the mayor and expressed hope that Tbilisi’s development would continue.

“I have great respect for Georgia’s culture, history, and religion. The first thing I did upon arriving in Georgia was visit Mtatsminda, as a sign of my respect for the Georgian people. Tbilisi is a beautiful city, and I hope it will become even more beautiful,” said Courteau.