PACE session opens with iconic Georgian song, as Georgian PM addresses assembly on historic date

Today’s session in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe opened with the Georgian polyphonic folk song Chakrulo, as Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze addressed the assembly on the 20th anniversary of Georgia’s membership in the body.

The song was sent into space in 1977.

Bakhtadze told the audience that the song with its diversity of sounds is a “marker of the Georgian identity.”

He said that it is symbolic that this year, when Georgia marks the 20th anniversary of its membership and PACE celebrates its 70th anniversary, Georgia will become the chair country of the assembly.

We have achieved unimaginable goals over the past 20 years with the help of PACE and our allies,” Bakhtadze said.

He stated that Georgia’s democratic advancement has become irreversible.

Georgia has an ambition to become the role model of democracy in the region,” he said.

‘I dedicate my speech to those killed for freedom’

Bakhtadze stated that his speech was dedicated to Georgians who sacrificed their lives for  state independence.

Yesterday, we marked the day when 30 years ago Soviet troops brutally dispersed peaceful protesters in the centre of Tbilisi with the use of tanks and weapons. Their fight was not fruitless as after two years we gained independence,” Bakhtadze said.

Georgian PM thanked PACE for its support over the past 20 years. Photo: Prime Minister's press office. 

Common reasons to be proud

Bakhtadze said that in 1991, when Georgia joined PACE, it took on responsibilities to combat corruption, ensure human rights, freedom of expression and defend minorities.

Both PACE and Georgia can be proud of our democratic achievements,” Bakhtadze said,

He stated that Georgia changed its constitution for better governance and elected the first female president in its history.

Peaceful demonstrations are no longer dispersed by the government in the country. Human rights protection is the top priority,” he said.

Two challenges

Bakhtadze told PACE that Georgia faces two key challenges: the occupation of its territories and poverty.

He said that the systemic changes planned in the country’s education system aim to address the challenges.

Barbed-wire-fences erected by occupying forces. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge. 

20 per cent of our territory is occupied by Russia. We have 300,000 IDPs who are deprived of their rights to return to their homes. The erection of barbed-wire fences, and the suppression of the local population are daily issues. The situation in the Georgian occupied territories is nothing else than the humanitarian catastrophe,” Bakhtadze said.

Bakhtadze cited the names of the Georgian citizens who were killed by occupying forces, saying that the recent death of Irakli Kvaratskhelia took place in unclear circumstances.

However, one thing is obvious, Kvaratskhelia was illegally detained in the occupied region and was taken to an illegally built Russian military base,” Bakhtadze stated.

Bakhtadze thanked PACE for supporting the Otkhozoria-Tatunashvili list, which provides sanctions against individuals who have violated human rights in the Georgian occupied regions since the 1990s.

Bakhtadze said that conflicts should only be settled peacefully and stated that the Georgian government has offered economic and other benefits to the people living in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali to improve their lives.

From the PACE tribune I want to address our people living in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali-all our success is your success! The only future we wish to have is the future with you, in peaceful and prosperous Georgia,” Bakhtadze stated.

‘Russia must pay its PACE membership fee’

Bakhtadze stated that Russia must pay its PACE membership fee and the issue must not become a reason for any change in PACE procedures or rules.

He stated that Georgia is grateful for PACE’s support over many years and was ready to make a voluntary contribution in its budget.

The Georgian government has decided to contribute 500,000 EUR to the PACE budget as a sign of gratitude,” Bakhtadze stated.

The PM ended his speech with the historic words of late Georgian PM Zurab Zhvania pronounced in PACE in 1991, when Georgia was accepted in the assembly, and stated that “I am Georgian and therefore I am European.”