Georgia celebrates Independence Day, 463 recruits take an oath
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Today Georgians mark Independence Day, commemorating May 26, 1918 – the day when the Act of Independence was adopted, establishing the First Democratic Republic of Georgia.
463 recruits have taken their oaths today in Tbilisi, Zugdidi, Racha, Kartli and Dusheti.
We are celebrating #IndendenceDay in Georgia!
— Mamuka Bakhtadze (@BakhtadzeMamuka) May 26, 2019
In the face of many challenges, we continue to work hard to strengthen our statehood and we stand together in defense of the ideals and values we fought for throughout the history. #ესდღეჩვენია! #May26 ????????
Top Georgian figures have addressed the army and the people on the day on Freedom Square in central Tbilisi, praising the country’s past, the merit of the Georgian armed forces and focused on the country’s Euro-Atlantic future.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili stated that independence is the “biggest achievement, which needs to be protected continually.”
The remains of the soviet mentality still work as obstacles and create boundaries for the full transformation of Georgia as a free and the European state,” she said.
The oath taking ceremony. Video by the President's office.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze stated that Georgia has never been so close to the EU and NATO as it is now, and the Georgian armed forces, their contribution for international peace, have played a “huge role” in this.
Georgia is now respected and praised for its democratic achievements. I am sure that soon Georgia will become a member of the EU and NATO,” he said.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze said that May 26 is the “most important day” in the Georgian history.
He stated that “our fight for independence still continues” and addressed the people living in the two Russian-occupied regions of Georgia Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).
We cannot imagine our future without you,” he said.
Bakhtadze stated that it is symbolic that Georgia’s national hero Merab Kostava, who was fighting for the country’s independence with the first President of Georgia Zviad Gamsakhurdia, would have turned 80 today.
He said that Georgia will have the scholarship named after Kostava.
26 May marks the #IndependenceDay of #Georgia. The Motto for 2019 national day celebrations is #shareknowledge :
— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) May 26, 2019
Georgia was one of the first countries in the world to officially adopt Christianity. ????????????????????????#Knowledgeleadstofreedom pic.twitter.com/8gme2ayq7g
Bakhtadze also commemorated Gamsakhurdia and the Georgian heroes who sacrificed their lives for the homeland.
He said that the Georgian government has provided various programmes to support soldiers and their families, “on whom the state stands on.”
Georgian Defence Minister Levan Izoria said that Georgian soldiers are protecting the country’s independence and freedom.
He stated that Georgia’s aspiration to become the members of the EU and NATO serve the goal to protect the country and its people.
As the partnership between Georgia and US continues to deepen, Donald Trump looks forward to exploring ways to ensure the two countries’ "peoples’ prosperity and security.”
Foreign countries and leaders are sending their kinds wishes to Georgia on a Independence Day.
The Independence Day of Georgia is being celebrated across the world with the involvement of the Georgian Foreign Ministry and diplomatic missions abroad.
The Independence Day of Georgia is being celebrated at Bagram Base in Afghanistan, where Georgian soldiers together with the defence forces of the United States, Czech Republic, Poland and Afghanistan participated in the symbolic march.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has joined other world leaders and congratulated Georgia on Independence Day in Georgian.
The national anthem was performed in a number of Georgian cities at 17:10 Tbilisi time, commemorating May 26, 1918 – the day when the Act of Independence was adopted, establishing the First Democratic Republic of Georgia.
The Defence Minister of Turkey Hulusi Akar joined Georgian leaders in celebration on Independence Day on May 26. At the meetings with Georgian leaders, Minister Akar reiterated his country’s support for Georgia's territorial integrity as well as its aspirations to join NATO.
The main symbol of Brussels, the Manneken Pis, was dressed in Georgian chokha [Georgian national clothes for men] on May 26, on Georgia’s Independence Day. During an event in Brussels Georgian Ambassador to the EU Natalie Sabanadze addressed public.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze stated at a reception dedicated to Georgia’s Independence Day in Vilnius that the friendship of Lithuania and Georgia is special.
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain has sent her warm wishes to Georgia on the occasion of Georgian Independence Day.
The Georgian Defence Forces have 225 new servicemen now, who pledged their allegiance on Saint George's Day. The ceremony was held at the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Centre.
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”.