Georgian PM, President congratulate Georgian citizens, emigrants, ‘our Abkhaz and Ossetian brothers’ on Independence Day
Top Georgian officials addressed the public on Independence Day. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and President Salome Zurabishvili have congratulated Georgian citizens, emigrants and people living in the country’s two Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali on Independence Day.
I believe that we will manage together to build our country, make it a successful country,” PM Gakharia stated on the base of the 4th military brigade earlier today.
He said that May 26 is a day ‘of top importance’ in Georgian history, which specified the country’s orientation.
Gakhaaria said that the fight for the country’s unity and independence is still in progress.
Our goal now is to unite the country. We should achieve the goal peacefully,” Gakharia said.
He said that today Georgia is independent ‘which is the merit of our ancestors.’
Happy Independence Day! ???????? https://t.co/2X9jGfm7cs
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) May 26, 2020
It should be our merit to make the country successful,” Gakharia said.
He praised the role of Georgian soldiers who ensure international peace and the country’s interests.’
In her speech Zurabishvili stated that during the ‘most complicated crisis’ Georgia has become an example of resistance and success for the world.
However, we should understand that the war is not ended and the fight with the invisible enemy still continues,” Zurabishvili said.
She stated that Georgia has not violated any democratic principles at any state of the state of emergency.
Zurabishvili said that the crisis once again displayed that there is no alternative to the EU for Georgia ‘no matter how the block will change.’
She said that the US-Georgia relationship has become more diverse over the past several months, adding that despite the pandemic Russia continued its illegal activities on Georgian territory.
Today Georgia marks the 29th anniversary of the referendum that led to the country gaining independence from the Soviet Union. President Salome Zurabishvili stated that despite the coronavirus pandemic, “we do not have the right to forget” the date, which has led to the restoration of “independent statehood”.
US President Donald Trump has congratulated Georgia on its Independence Day, stating that for decades the United States and Georgia ‘have enjoyed a strong partnership rooted in shared values and interests.’
The US State Secretary Mike Pompeo has congratulated Georgia on its Independence Day, stating that the US and Georgia have a strong strategic partnership built upon shared values and a deep love of freedom, independence, and unity.
Today Georgians mark Independence Day, commemorating May 26, 1918 – the day when the Act of Independence was adopted and which established the First Democratic Republic of Georgia.Due to the coronavirus pandemic, no large-scale events will take place around the country, with Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia marking the date with the country’s armed forces, on the base of the fourth mechanised brigade.
EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Harzell has extended his congratulations to Georgia and its people on Independence Day and said that the European Union is proud to stand together with Georgia on this day, ‘as we continue standing up for her independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.’
Chairman of the United States Commission For the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad Paul Packer has congratulated Georgians on Independence Day, May 26 by honouring Georgian Saint Grigol Peradze, who saved lives during the invasion of Poland by German troops in 1939.
In order to support the reintegration of Georgian citizens returning from emigration to their home country, the government of Georgia is launching a new programme which will benefit 200 emigrants at the first stage, announces the IDPs and Eco-migrants Agency of Georgia.