Georgian PM hails “long, rich tradition” of celebrating Francophonie in Georgia at Parliamentary Assembly

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday hailed his country’s “long and rich tradition of francophonie” at the 48th Plenary Session of the European Region of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie, a forum for political dialogue involving 90 countries across five continents and hosted in Tbilisi. 

In his address, the head of the Government stressed it was a “great joy and honour” to host the event bringing together about 250 delegates in 40 delegations from the Assembly’s member states. 

Pointing to the French-speaking community in the country, the PM highlighted it was “undoubtedly one of the most enthusiastic and dynamic in the world” despite its “modest size”, adding the language was “especially valued” to him after having studied in France. 

Expressing gratitude to the leadership and members of the General Secretariat of the Assembly for awarding him on Thursday with the Medal and Diploma of its Order, the PM said the award placed a further responsibility on him to promote the French language in his country.

Highlighting the Georgian people’s “unconditional love for French and francophone literature”, Garibashvili commended the role of the Georgian delegation of French Renaissance and its President Mzago Dokhturishvili, whom he called the “pillar of the Georgian francophone and francophone in general”. 

He also noted the establishment of the Georgian Goncourt Award, for distinguishing French-speaking authors selected by Georgian readers, after the latest gathering of the domestic French-speaking community.

Garibashvili also noted activities of Agora publishing house, which specialises in editing Georgian translations of French-language works, and the French School, describing the latter as the “main home and emblematic place” for the French-speaking community in the country. He noted his children had studied at the school to “preserve our family tradition” of fluency in the language. 

The PM noted his country was preparing for the Paris International Book Fair, where Georgia will be showcased as the Guest of Honour at a coming edition, adding the country’s representation at the event would present the “treasures of its literature, poetry and culture” in French.

He also noted his Government had established scholarships for young citizens to study in French-based and French-language universities, in cooperation with the French Government through its Embassy in Tbilisi.

The PM added the International Education Center was selecting candidates willing to study and train in France, “so they can then use the knowledge acquired in major universities and international schools for the benefit of Georgia”. 

He also thanked the Francophone University Agency for its work in Georgia, noting an agreement signed between the institution and the Ministry of Education of Georgia last year to strengthen cooperation. 

This agreement is a good example of the fact that our Government is ready to develop scientific francophonie for the benefit of the six Georgian universities that are members of the AUF", he said, adding Georgian students and researchers were participating in university exchange programmes with member countries through its support.

Garibashvili also highlighted another training project, between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Organisation of Francophonie, which he said was training Georgian diplomats to strengthen the corps of French-speaking professionals.