The new Georgian government will implement a plan to improve relations with Moscow, while maintaining its policy of pro-Western orientation, Foreign Minister designate Maia Panjikidze said on Monday, Oct 8.

“There is a specific plan and idea on how to improve relations with Russia,” Panjikidze said. The aim of the Georgian Foreign Ministry is “to improve relations with Russia thus reestablishing the territorial integrity of the country.”

Georgian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, leader of the Georgian Dream coalition which won the nation's Oct 1 parliamentary elections, named Panjikidze among his candidates for key posts in the new Georgian government on Monday. The Georgian parliament plans to approve the cabinet on Oct 20-21.

Panjikidze, meanwhile, emphasized that the U.S. remains Tbilisi's main strategic partner and European integration is Georgian Dream's most important aim, RIA Novosti reported.