Georgia's President observes moment of silence for Kiev victims

A one minute silence was observed at the beginning of the Georgian President’s first address to Members of Parliament in a bid to pay respects to the victims of the ongoing violence in Ukraine. 

Before his address, President Giorgi Margvelashvili and MPs stood in silence to remember the victims of the violent conflict in Ukraine’s capital city Kiev.

This week, clashes in the Maidan have claimed the lives of more than a hundred people, including two Georgian citizens.

President Giorgi Margvelashvili’s opening speech begins with a minute’s silence for victims of Kiev violence at the Parliament. Photo by President's Press Office. 

Margvelashvili began his speech by speaking about Ukraine. He believed Ukraine’s authority had broken unspoken rules and used unnecessary force against Ukrainian citizens.

"The authority moved to the edge that is not allowed for any Government. Demonstrations have begun in Ukraine because the Government has halted [the] Association Agreement with the European Union”, he said.

"Regrettably, instead of using political dialogue, the Government has used violence. The Government must use all opportunities to unite society and prevent actions leading to confrontation,” Margvelashvili said.

He believed those opportunities were salvageable.

"The EU leaders’ active participation in the processes [has allowed] opportunities to achieve political consensus, and the dialogue initiated by those leaders will lead to the solving of their problems,” Margvelashvili stated.