Georgia understands the cost of war and recognizes the value of peace, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Friday, highlighting that since 2012 his Government “has built and maintained an uninterrupted decade of peace and stability”.
In his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Garibashvili stressed he represented “a strong nation that values freedom, cherishes its rich heritage and embraces progress amid an ever-changing geopolitical landscape”.
He noted that despite the “devastation” Georgia had endured, the country pursued its ambitions and the country was transformed into ”a dynamic society”, fully committed to the realisation of the fundamental principles and values enshrined in the UN Charter.
The PM said Georgia was enduring the “destructive consequences” of full-scale military aggression in 2008 and stressed it was still evident in the occupation of 20 percent of Georgian territory by Russia and the displacement of “hundreds of thousands of people” from their homes.
To ensure our continued peaceful existence, I call on the international community to persuade the Russian Federation to engage with the Geneva International Discussions and fully implement the EU-mediated 2008 Ceasefire Agreement”, Garibashvili said, expressing his “deep appreciation” to the international community for the “unwavering support” to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The country has made “significant progress” since regaining independence, the Head of the Government said, stressing Georgia remained dedicated to “achieving even greater results” for the Georgian people while making significant contributions to the global community.
Garibashvili expressed readiness to strengthen international partnerships and collaborations to “ensure a more peaceful and sustainable future”.
The PM also said through his Government’s Peaceful Neighbourhood initiative, the country was prepared to engage its “neighbours and friends” from Armenia and Azerbaijan to “finally bring lasting peace to the South Caucasus”.