国际英语新闻：Putin vows to preserve Russia-Georgia good relations

MOSCOW, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Good neighbor relations and true partnership are the future of Russian-Georgian relations, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.

Putin made his remarks during the unveiling ceremony of the monument "We Fought Fascism Together" here, which was also attended by leading Georgian opposition figure Nino Burdzhanadze.

"I am convinced that no one can set the people of Russia and Georgia against each other and break our traditional human spiritual ties. That means that equal true partnership is a future of Russian-Georgian relations," Putin said as quoted by Interfax news agency.

"We greatly and unconditionally value Russian-Georgian friendship," he said.

The new monument in west Moscow is established to replace the Soviet-era memorial in Georgian town of Kutaisi which was demolished in 2009.

Putin called the memorial demolition a "disgraceful act of state vandalism."

"People cannot be with those who destroy memories of their heroes and turn their back on their own history, the centuries-old traditions of friendship and mutual support," Putin said during Tuesday's ceremony.

He confirmed his firm decision "to protect the truth about heroes from cynicism, barbarianism" and vowed to fight nationalism, xenophobia and extremism.

Putin thanked everyone who considered it their duty to take part in the monument project and those who helped raise funds for its construction.

"Candid assistance was provided not only by Russian and Georgian people, but also citizens of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) and dozens of other states," Putin said.