Georgian officials join CoE presidency celebrations in Tbilisi

Georgian officials have joined in today’s celebration of the country’s assumption of the presidency of the Council of Europe (CoE) Committee of Ministers earlier today.

Prime Minister Giorgi Gakaria said in his address at the Freedom Square in downtown Tbilisi that Georgia has been part of the Council of Europe for 20 years now. 

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He said “we should primarily express gratitude to our citizens for this achievement” as well as “thank each of our partner countries”.

However we should always remember that Europe has always been here! Europe has always been here and it is evidenced by our history”, PM Gakharia stated.

He further noted that today “we are not in the most exuberant condition, however what we did in recent years, when we were never so close to Europe as today and led to the closest relationship with Europe in the economic context”. 

Photo: Georgian Dream/Facebook

Today every Georgian may travel to Europe visa-free. It became possible in recent years and each of us should be proud of what lies ahead. We managed to achieve all these together with our leader Bidzina Ivanishvili”, Gakharia added.

In his address, PM Gakharia referred to the recent detention and sentencing of Georgian doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili as well. 

It is unfair that a human being, a medical doctor who crossed the occupation line with a kind will, with noble intentions is in such condition today. We will still endure this, continue advancing and our road will ultimately conclude with a victory in Europe”. He stated.

Calling for everyone to “always remember our past”, he said “we should know where we originate”. 

Once again, let me say to you that our quest and our Europeanness is our past, our present and our future! Let me congratulate you with this day! Our traditions, our past, our culture, our tolerance, belief and church – our road and our ultimate victory is in Europe”, Giorgi Gakharia concluded.

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze also said that becoming the chairman country of the Council of Europe “is the natural and clear manifestation of European integration, the process of attaining a full-fledged and rightful place within the European family”.

Photo: Georgian Dream/Facebook

Noting that “Europe is a way of coexistence that is based on freedom, humanism, and mutual respect”, Kaladze said “these, in turn, are the features that the people of Georgia have historically possessed”.

For me personally, Europe is the space where the human being is seen to be of utmost value, where they do not violate his rights, and where they do not kidnap doctors – freedom to Vazha Gaprindashvili and our support for him and his family”, he stated.

Confident that Georgia's European future “is inevitable together with this youth, this generation” Kaladze underscored that today “Georgia is closer to Europe than it has ever been”.

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The ruling Georgian Dream party chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili also addressed the crowd, saying that “democracy, the rule of law, equality, and tolerance – these are the values that serve as the foundation for Europe and the values that are so deeply rooted in the Georgian spirit”.