Georgian FM: Since gaining independence, future of Georgia rests on returning to European family
The country has been going through “the most difficult path”, maintaining its independence and “peaceful course” through “tireless work, professionalism and responsibility”, the FM noted. Photo via Ilia Darchiashvili/Facebook
Tweet 
Share
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Saturday said the country’s future rested upon returning to the European family since the day of gaining independence on April 9, 1989.
This is an irreversible process, as Georgia is a European country and our [Georgian] Government made the European choice of the Georgian people its strategic goal. Achieving this goal is possible only with unity and strength”, Darchiashvili emphasised.
In his commemorating post of the date when Soviet troops had attacked peaceful protesters in Tbilisi, killing 21 people and injuring hundreds 34 years ago, Darchiashvili said he “bowed before the heroes who paved the way to freedom with their dedication”, and noted a “new stage” in Georgia’s history had begun that day - “the struggle for independence” which had become a “conscious” choice of the Georgian people.
The FM noted that despite the “sacrifices and bloodshed”, he considered April 9 as the “day of victory” for Georgia, the day of “historical significance”, with the restoration of the country’s independence after two years on this date in 1991. “This is how April 9 acquired a double burden, combining the nation's unhealed pain and victory”, he added.
The history of independence does not end in 1991. The struggle to protect the achievements continues to this day. History preserves the names of the heroes who died on April 9, 1989, but heroism is not only manifested on a battlefield, heroes also live next to us, [...] doing Georgian work and creating the future of the country”, Darchiashvili stressed.
The country has been going through “the most difficult path”, maintaining its independence and “peaceful course” through “tireless work, professionalism and responsibility”, the FM noted.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Sunday honoured the memory of the victims of the April 9, 1989 tragedy, the “heroes, who paved the way for freedom at the cost of their own lives”.
Georgian institutions and citizens on Friday marked the 32nd anniversary of the referendum that led to the country regaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday paid tribute to the memory of Zviad Gamsakhurdia, the late first President of the country, on his 84th birthday.
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.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, along with the country’s officials, on Saturday laid a wreath at the April 9 Memorial in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi, paying tribute to the memory of the victims of the 1989 tragedy.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Saturday said April 9 was a symbol of both “great pain and victory”, and would remain a day of “sacrifice and national pride” for Georgians.
Cities and towns across Georgia are preparing to mark this year’s Independence Day on Friday with cultural, educational and entertainment events.
The Georgian Government Administration on Thursday said this year’s Independence Day celebrations on Friday had been designed to showcase “national symbols”, in response to criticism by a part of the domestic opposition on the absence of the European Union flag from the decorations set up in Tbilisi for the date.
Countries around the world will join celebrations for Georgia’s Independence Day on Friday with events, while their landmarks will be illuminated in national colours of the country for the date.