US President wishes Georgian people happy, healthy Independence Day
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, last year no large-scale events took place around the country on Independence Day, May 26. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge archive
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United States President Joe Biden has wished the Georgian people a happy and healthy Independence Day on May 26 in a letter sent to Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.
The anniversary of a nation’s independence is not only a day of celebration, it offers a moment to honour the history and values that are ingrained in the national character, and to look to the future”, Biden wrote.
He said ‘as Georgia’s leaders and citizens take time this year to reflect on ways to strengthen Georgia’s independence and advance the country’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations’ the US stands with them.
The United States is grateful for the bravery of Georgian soldiers who have served side-by-side with US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, and we will continue to support Georgia as it seeks NATO membership”, the letter reads.
It also notes that as a committed partner, the US will continue to support the people of Georgia ‘as they pursue greater democratic and economic development, including fostering an independent judiciary and inclusive democratic processes’.
On May 26 in 1918, the National Council of Georgia declared the national independence of Georgia from Russia and the creation of the Democratic Republic of Georgia. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge archive
President Biden said the US will also stand with the Georgian people to help recover from the social and economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Recognising the ‘significant external challenges Georgia has faced and continues to endure’ Joe Biden said his thoughts today are with ‘all those living under Russian occupation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia’.
The United States remains firmly committed to Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognised borders” the US President said.
Georgia celebrates Independence Day tomorrow on May 26, commemorating the day when the Act of Independence was adopted in 1918 and which established the First Democratic Republic of Georgia.
Georgia is opening its land borders on June 1, 2021 after more than a year-long closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. Individuals will be admitted through the land borders of Georgia with evidence of full vaccination and negative PCR test results or alternatively only with a negative PCR test result taken within the last 72 hours.
Biometric passports will be available for Georgian citizens residing abroad at half price, while ID cards - for free during the Georgian Diaspora Days between May 24 and June 7.
The remains of Georgia's national hero and commander-in-chief of the first Democratic Republic of Georgia, General Giorgi Kvinitadze, have been returned home from France. His remains will be laid to rest at the Mtatsminda Pantheon of Writers and Public Figures in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on Independence Day on May 26.
The celebration of Independence Day of Georgia will see the central Freedom Square in the Georgian capital city of Tbilisi closed for six days, announces Tbilisi City Hall.
Today Georgia marks Independence Day, commemorating May 26, 1918 – the day when the Act of Independence was adopted and which established the First Democratic Republic of Georgia.Due to the coronavirus pandemic, fewer ceremonies will be held on the day, unlike earlier years when multiple events would be held both in Tbilisi and in the regions.Various armored vehicles are present in central Tbilisi for the day. The presentation will be closed by the flight of Su-25 fighter jets.
From the Georgian capital city of Tbilisi to the highland Georgian town of Mestia, the country is celebrating Independence Day today, commemorating May 26, 1918 – the day when the Act of Independence was adopted, establishing the First Democratic Republic of Georgia. The main location of the ceremony was Freedom Square in central Tbilisi. However, the ceremony also took place in Svaneti, Adjara, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Kakheti and Mtskheta-Mtianeti regions.
Presidents, ministers of foreign affairs, ambassadors and international society have been congratulating Georgia on its Independence Day today. The Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Elizabeth II has congratulated Georgia on its 30th anniversary of Independence from the Soviet Union and sent 'best wishes to the people of Georgia'.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has pardoned ten convicts and two probationers on Georgia’s Independence Day today.
On May 26, the day when Georgia celebrates its Independence Day, one of the most well-known Niagara Falls in a city in Ontario, Canada lit up in colours of Georgia’s national flag.
The US Department of State has released the US Congressional Budget Justification for 2022, which includes $88 million in assistance for Georgia. The US assistance ‘will support Georgia’s democratisation, economic development, Euro-Atlantic integration, and build resilience to counter Kremlin malign influence’.
A congressional delegation led by US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, and including Senator Rob Portman, will visit Georgia next week to reaffirm US commitment. Shaheen and Portman will visit Georgia to send a bipartisan message that the United States stands with the people of Georgia in their efforts to strengthen their democracy.
United States Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Rob Portman have met with the government and opposition in Georgia as the final stop of their bipartisan congressional delegation in Eastern Europe. During the meeting with PM Irakli Garibashvili the US senators discussed the Georgia-US strategic partnership as well as Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations and the importance of Black Sea security.
United States Acting Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker will travel to Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia on June 6-13 ‘to advance bilateral and regional priorities and to express US support for democratic and economic development across the region’.
The United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday wished Georgian citizens a happy Independence Day and said they understood “deeply” the “value of independence, freedom and democracy”.
Top diplomats of Georgia’s partner countries on Friday extended their messages of congratulation to citizens on the country’s Independence Day, the Georgian Foreign office said.