Blinken vows support for Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity on country’s Independence Day
In his message, Blinken said the Georgian people understood “deeply” the value of independence and freedom. Photo:Reuters
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The United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday Congratulated the people of Georgia on Independence Day and vowed support for the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
In his message, Blinken said the Georgian people understood “deeply” the value of independence and freedom.
Despite Russia’s ongoing occupation of 20 percent of Georgia, the people of Georgia have shown a firm determination to pursue a Euro-Atlantic future. We condemn Russia’s aggression against Georgia, and we steadfastly support Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders,” the statement by the Secretary of State said.
The American official noted his country had been “proud” to support Georgia’s efforts to advance democratic development, diversify its economy, and build a “prosperous future” throughout the 30 years of bilateral relationship.
In his congratulatory letter, Blinken also evoked the two countries’ security cooperation, pointing out “our countries have also worked side by side in support of global and regional security.”
On this day of celebration for Georgians everywhere, I reaffirm the United States’ continuing commitment to partnering with Georgia on its path to Euro-Atlantic integration,” he concluded.
The United States Department of State has $88 million in support for Georgia included in the draft budget for 2023, published on Monday.
The Georgia-US relationship today is “as strong as ever", and our friendship is based on “shared values”, said Irakli Garibashvili, the Prime Minister of Georgia, on the celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between two countries.
The United States remains “steadfastly committed” to its strategic partnership with Georgia, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said in a letter addressed to his Georgian counterpart Ilia Darchiashvili.
The United States House of Representatives has approved the Georgia Support Act, establishing a “strategic partnership” between the two countries “at the legislative level”, the Georgian foreign office said on Thursday.
Foreign officials on Thursday sent their congratulatory messages to Georgian counterparts and citizens to mark the country’s Independence Day, with foreign ministers of Poland, Greece, Latvia, Bulgaria and Iran being among those who offered their messages of support.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday extended his congratulations to the Georgian people on the occasion of Independence Day and wished them “happiness, prosperity and peace.”
United States President Joe Biden on Thursday extended his congratulations of Georgia’s Independence Day to Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and citizens of the country.
The Georgian society supports the country’s European integration path “consciously or intuitively,” with the support “strengthening over the years,” Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said in her address dedicated to Independence Day of Georgia on Thursday.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday congratulated citizens of the country on Independence Day, praising the “supreme values of homeland and freedom” in an address dedicated to the date.
Today Georgia is celebrating its Independence Day, simultaneously marking the 104th anniversary of the establishment of its First Democratic Republic.
The Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Thursday congratulated the Georgian people on Independence Day of their country.