100th anniversary of the first democratic republic of Georgia celebrated in Brussels

An event devoted to the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first democratic republic of Georgia was held in BOZAR,  the centre for fine arts in Brussels yesterday.

Attended by the Foreign Minister of Georgia Mikheil Janelidze, the President of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium Siegfried Bracke and Deputy Secretary General of NATO Rose Gottemoeller, the event highlighted Georgia’s European aspirations, values and progress.

„We are proud to represent an EU-associated country which is on its way to NATO membership. We are going to strengthen our efforts to receive our place in European Union and transatlantic society. Despite Russian military aggression which is aimed against us and our European future, we have chosen a peaceful and democratic method of fighting [against this]. Democracy is what helps us to stand firm against Russian aggression,” Mikheil Janelidze said.

As the Deputy Secretary General of NATO Rose Gottemoeller pointed out, Georgia has shown "impressive progress” on the way towards Euro-Atlantic integration.

"I would like to reiterate what the alliance confirmed 10 years ago that Georgia will become a NATO member,” she added. 

The event also involved a cultural portion during which Georgian pianist Eliso Bolkvadze and national ballet Sukhishvili performed for representatives of the Belgian government, the EU and the European Parliament as well as diplomats.