President Zurabishvili: 'ultimatum, hunger strikes' do not relieve tensions
Zurabishvili initiated the national reconciliation process in Georgia. Photo: President's press office
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Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has said that 'the language of ultimatum, hunger strikes' do not relieve tensions during her speech at the 2021 Ambassadorial Conference held online earlier this evening.
Zurabishvili's statement came after opposition United National Movement Head Nika Melia announced a mass hunger strike demanding the release of imprisoned former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili.
Zurabishvili noted that although 'escalation and tensions' persist both on local and international levels, they cannot be resolved without 'real dialogue.'
We see escalation and tensions in the country and around the world. Inside and outside, the response to these tensions and challenges is out of sync with reality: the language of ultimatum, hunger strikes do not relieve tensions nor do they offer us a way out of stalemate and these cannot bring us and the world out of this situation, she said.
"Because we must seek deescalation and long-term stability, I started the process of #nationalaccord. In this, I need the full support of our diplomatic service because it should be supported by our partners and our diaspora"
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) December 22, 2021
My speech at the 2021 Ambassadorial Conference pic.twitter.com/b5NawMAtqk
Zurabishvili, who initiated the process of national reconciliation to end polarisation in Georgia, called on the diplomatic corps to support her endeavour.
The Georgian president also expressed her support and solidarity for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, encouraging 'all dialogue attempts' to de-escalate the situation.
Opposition United National Movement (UNM) Head Nika Melia has announced a mass hunger strike demanding imprisoned former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili's release during the UNM rally held in central Tbilisi this evening.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili says that her recent initiative, which aims to reconcile various political parties in Georgia to end polarization, is complicated to carry out but the process is ‘very transparent.’
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has called for a 'national agreement' at a New Year's reception she hosted for the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party and opposition leaders at Orbeliani Presidential Palace earlier this evening.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili met with Patriarch Ilia II earlier today to familiarize him with her views on how to decrease political polarization in the country and allow Georgia to 'move forward.’
The integration of Georgia with the European Union and NATO, completion of the country’s de-occupation strategy and regional policy are at the top of the agenda of the annual Ambassadorial Conference 2021 which is taking place online between December 22-24.
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan has stated earlier today that efforts made by Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who is holding meetings with political leaders of both the ruling party and opposition in order to achieve national reconciliation, ‘are extremely important.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has stated that she has neither the leverage nor the power to reconcile the opposing forces in Georgia while discussing her reconciliation initiative, which she announced on December 10 at the Summit for Democracy organised by US President Joe Biden.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has stated in the New Year congratulation speech that her task is ‘to find a path of national consent for the country’s future,’ stressing the importance of reconciliation of the Georgian people.
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