Georgian FM: Since gaining independence, future of Georgia rests on returning to European family

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.