Georgian leaders join Europe Day celebrations in Tbilisi

Georgia’s capital of Tbilisi turned into a Eurovillage today celebrating Europe Day at Rike Park. 

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze joined the celebrations in downtown Tbilisi.

Rike Park turned into a Eurovillage this morning. Photo: Prime Minister's press office

President Zurabishvili said the Georgian population remains committed to its European aspirations and that despite Russia’s aggression “we managed not to change the European path”.

We are moving forward on this path! ... Our aspirations are more security, more development, more economic progress, more Europe in Georgia and more Georgia in Europe”, President Zurabishvili stated.

#Europe ???????? and #Georgia ???????? have never been closer together than they are today. Our road toward #EU integration is a certain goal that we’re proud to celebrate as we inaugurated the 2019 #EuropeDays with @CarlHartzellEU, @BakhtadzeMamuka, and @kakhakala today. pic.twitter.com/sWXvx9Hm0N

— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) May 5, 2019

PM Bakhtadze expressed his hopes that "Georgia will become a fully-fledged member of the European Union”.

Our nation has made its contribution to the formation of values that European idea is grounded on. That is why, we the citizens of Georgia have the right to say that it is indeed a civilizational choice”, PM Bakhtadze said in his address.

He said the country has gone a very difficult road, "but can bravely say today that Georgia has never been so close to Europe before.” 

European Union Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell standing in front of the map of Georgia. Photo: European Union Delegation to Georgia

EU Ambassador Carl Hartzell also wrote in his Twitter page that "the EU and Georgia have never been closer than we are today".

• Europe Day 2019 is a joint initiative of the Delegation of the European Union and Tbilisi City Hall, in cooperation with the embassies of EU member states and other partners.