Ruling party head, Tbilisi Mayor congratulate citizens on receiving EU candidate status at Freedom Square

Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party and Kakha Kaladze, the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream and Tbilisi Mayor, on Friday joined the celebration event at the central Freedom Square on the occasion of obtaining the European Union membership status on the previous day, and congratulated the citizens on the “victory”.

Speaking at the event, Kobakhidze said it was a “common victory”, adding Georgia “has gone through many hardships” to protect the national interests over the past two years.

However, the Georgian society demonstrated particular experience and wisdom, which gave us the opportunity to overcome all difficulties. Traditional European values are freedom, equality and dignity. Over the past two years, Georgia has acted as a free, equal and decent state. Where you show dignity, you will receive a worthy response”, he noted.

In his turn, Kaladze said Tbilisi - a “truly European city” - was celebrating the “greatest victory” and thanked everyone for their contribution to this.

Freedom, prosperity, equality and tolerance are European values and are integral features of Tbilisi and Georgian culture from time immemorial. I believe that as Europe can enrich and strengthen Georgia, so Georgia can enrich and strengthen Europe”, he added.

Kaladze stressed that today's victory of Georgia also belonged to the Abkhazians and Ossetians “living beyond the artificial border” in Russian-occupied regions of Georgia - Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia). 

I believe that we will celebrate Georgia's accession to the European Union together with our Abkhazian and Ossetian citizens in a united, strong, economically developed Georgia. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to Georgia's candidate status”, he added.

The contributions of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the former Prime Minister and founder of the Georgian Dream party, were also highlighted by both officials. 

11 years ago on Freedom Square, Ivanishvili laid the foundation for the “historic victory” of the Georgian people, replacing “Soviet-style authoritarianism” with “European-style democratic and fair governance”, Kobakhidze said.

In his turn, Kaladze noted in 2012 Ivanishvili had made “a democratic transition” without which “this success would not have been possible”.