Vilnius - Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus sent a letter to his Georgian counterpart, Mikheil Saakashvili, Friday congratulating him on five years in power and criticizing Russian "brutality".

"Five years ago, Georgia proclaimed to the world its resolve to embark on the path of freedom, democracy and reforms. You well knew that it would be a difficult road. But nobody expected that your decision would be challenged by brutal military force unleashed against the freedom of Georgia," Adamkus wrote.

"Where there is no respect for the fundamental principles of international law and the commitments made, where attempts are made to renounce the liberty and freedom achieved in your region, the best response is Georgia's continuous efforts to consolidate democratic principles and pursue reforms," he added.

Since Russia's August war with Georgia, Adamkus has been perhaps the most outspoken and consistent critic of the Kremlin among the international community.

He was among the first leaders to visit Tbilisi in a show of support while fighting was still going on and has shown no sign of softening his stance towards Russia since.

On November 10, Lithuania was the only European Union member state to oppose the resumption of talks on a strategic treaty between the European Union and Russia, claiming that Russia had not pulled back to its pre-war positions.

On Sunday, Georgia celebrates the anniversary of its so-called Rose Revolution, marking events that led to the forced resignation of Saakashvili's predecessor Eduard Shevardnadze. (dpa)