Labor leader Shalva Natelashvili told foreign diplomats that Georgia’s foreign policy and international commitments would remain the same if he wins the January 5 presidential election, on December 11.

The presidential hopeful told representatives of the US, Israel, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, the UK, and France, among others, that he would continue to push Georgia toward Euro-Atlantic integration but would also seek to normalize relations with Russia.

He also said Russia would be invited to join a proposed Caucasus Assembly, which would include Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and act as a “kind of guarantee to establish peace and settle conflicts in Caucasus region.”

The Labor leader also described ruling party presidential candidate Mikheil Saakashvili as a threat to democracy and reiterated his proposal to transform Georgia into a parliamentary republic.

“If the Georgian nation and Georgian citizens choose me as president, the institute of the president will be abolished and the country will be delivered to the people for them to govern,” he said, according to Rustavi 2.

Presenting a draft decree that would guarantee the return of any deposits Georgians lost in the early 1990s to bank fraud, he added, “This draft needs two things—your support on January 5th and my signature as president.”

Natelashvili also told foreign diplomats that he would oversee the construction of foreign culture centers in the country.

“It was very interesting for me. I am here observe the political situation in Georgia,” Russian Ambassador Vyacheslav Kovalenko told Rustavi 2.

Meanwhile the Central Elections Commission deadline for amended petitions of support expired December 11, leaving the final count of official presidential candidates at seven.

They are: Levan Gachechiladze, United National Council candidate; Davit Gamkrelidze, leader of the New Rights Party; Gia Maisashvili, leader of the Party of Future; Shalva Natelashvili, leader of the Labor Party; Badri Patarkatsishvili, business mogul; Mikheil Saakashvili, the former president and leader of the ruling National Movement party; and Irina Sarishvili, leader of the Imedi Party.