President Zurabishvili: I have neither the leverage nor power to reconcile opposing forces in Georgia
Zurabishvili has already held several meetings with opposition leaders from various political parties, such as Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria and Patriarch Ilia II, in which she discussed ways to end polarisation in the country and reach a ‘national agreement.’ Photo: President's press office.
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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.
President Zurabishvili initiated an ‘inclusive process and national conversation’ involving all of society toward a reconciliation of the various political parties in Georgia and an end to polarisation.
Zurabishvili hosted representatives of the non-governmental sector yesterday, and spoke of her initiative, saying that ‘the civil and legal sectors are indeed the foundation on which national consensus is built.’
She stressed the importance of creating a space where parties will have a chance to discuss the ‘topics that have divided the country,’ noting that ‘we cannot find the strength in ourselves to sit down together and discuss those major issues.’
There was an attempt even by the EU to reach such an initial agreement between the political parties. I think it could have been enforced, but unfortunately, that did not happen. I am not going to repeat this on my own... because I feel I do not have the strength and resources to do so,” said Zurabishvili.
Zurabishvili has already held several meetings with opposition leaders from various political parties, Georgian Public Defender Nino Lomjaria and Patriarch Ilia II, in which she discussed ways to end polarisation in the country and reach a ‘national agreement.’
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan praised Zurabishvili for her initiative, stating that her efforts in this regard ‘are extremely important.’
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 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.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has met with MPs Khatia Dekanoidze from the United National Movement (UNM) and Salome Samadashvili from Lelo for Georgia faction earlier today, where the ongoing issues in the country were discussed, including ‘political justice.'
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 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.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has discussed her National Accord initiative with MEP Sven Mikser who paid an official visit to Georgia today. The sides exchanged ideas regarding the possible ways to "widen the space" for political discussions in Georgia.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has proposed to create a joint document on National Accord process during the first public discussion about her initiative attempting to reduce polarization in the country.