Georgian officials gathered to celebrate Constitution Day
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Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili hosted a reception at the Atoneli presidential palace last night to celebrate the 24th anniversary of the signing of the State Constitution.
Although Georgia adopted its first constitution three years after the country gained independence from Russia in 1918, four days later the country again fell to occupation by Soviet forces.
Adopted in 1995, Georgia’s current constitution was modelled after the 1921 document.
The highest responsibility of the #President is to uphold the Constitution and adhere to its principles. Today, we celebrate the 24th anniversary since the ratification of Georgia’s #Constitution. pic.twitter.com/KjZTbqfz0N
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) August 24, 2019
In her introductory speech President Zurabishvili said that she “feels proud” that as the president of Georgia it is her “supreme responsibility” to protect the constitution.
All of us can be proud with our constitution… [which aims] to build the state where [human] rights, freedom and responsibility are equally important principles for each of our citizen”, she stated.
Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze said the signing of the constitution 24 years ago was “yet another decisive step towards democratic development”.
- Read PM Bakhtadze's full speech.
"Of course, it was a new page in the multi-century-long history of ours”, Bakhtadze said, adding that the constitution “ensures the freedom of Georgian state and its every citizen, every single person”.
We can state with full responsibility today that Georgia has a Constitution based on democratic values, with a modern European style, western type and what is most important tailored to our national interests”, he further noted.
Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze said the country's current constitution is the basis for a strong parliamentary country with efficient government, independent judiciary and impartial president.