Georgian PM marks anniversary of 1991 independence referendum that laid “solid foundations” for building modern Georgian state
Garibashvili said the referendum had “loudly and clearly” announced the willingness of people across Georgia to restore the country’s statehood.Photo: Government's Administration.
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The March 31, 1991 referendum laid a “solid foundation” for building a modern Georgian state, making an “irreversible move” towards the goal for which many generations of Georgians have struggled and worked, Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili said today while marking the 31st anniversary of the 1991 independence referendum.
On March 31, 1991, the vast majority of Georgian people across the country, including the now Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), legally confirmed their support for the restoration of independence from the Soviet Union, first declared on May 26, 1918.
Garibashvili said the referendum had “loudly and clearly” announced the willingness of people across Georgia to restore the country’s statehood.
The Government head added “it was this unanimous will of the people” that guided the Supreme Council of Georgia on its adoption of the Act of the Restoration of Independence on April 9 the same year.
Garibashvili also paid tribute to Georgia’s first President Zviad Gamsakhurdia, who would have turned 83 today, saying it was “undeniable” that the country’s regaining of independence was “primarily the merit” of Gamsakhurdia, whom he called “the real people's leader”.
Today Georgia marks the 30th anniversary of the referendum that led to the country gaining independence from the Soviet Union.
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.
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.
Today Georgia marks the 29th anniversary of the referendum that led to the country gaining independence from the Soviet Union. President Salome Zurabishvili stated that despite the coronavirus pandemic, “we do not have the right to forget” the date, which has led to the restoration of “independent statehood”.
Prime Minister of Georgia on Thursday paid tribute to the memory of Zviad Gamsakhurdia, the late first President of the country.
The 1991 referendum on Georgia’s independence “proved once again, loudly and firmly”, that freedom is the “primary value” for Georgians, Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of the Parliament, said on Thursday in comments marking the 31st anniversary of the plebiscite.
Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday praised the “huge contribution” of National Hero Merab Kostava to the country’s independence on the 33rd anniversary of his death.