Georgian officials sign book of condolences at Turkish Embassy following earthquake in country
Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili said he hoped the people of Turkey would “find “comfort in knowing that they are not alone in this difficult time and that Georgia stands with them in their hour of need”. Photo: MFA of Georgia
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Georgian officials on Friday signed the book of condolences at the Turkish Embassy in Tbilisi over Monday’s devastating earthquake that has left more than 21,000 killed and thousands injured in the country.
Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili said he hoped the people of Turkey would “find “comfort in knowing that they are not alone in this difficult time and that Georgia stands with them in their hour of need”.
Signed the book of condolences at the Turkish Embassy in Tbilisi& expressed sorrow in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. I hope, the people of ???????? will find comfort in knowing that they are not alone in this difficult time& that ???????? stands with them in their hour of need. pic.twitter.com/oyoY9Gpn1W
— Ilia Darchiashvili (@iliadarch) February 10, 2023
Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri “once again” expressed his condolences to the people of the country.
On behalf of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and myself, accept my heartfelt condolences for the terrible tragedy that happened. I would like to express my support to the families and relatives of the deceased. In this time of sorrow, we stand by our friendly Turkish people”, said the Minister’s note in the book.
Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze expressed his “grief and sympathy” to the families of those who died as a result of the earthquake.
On behalf of the Ministry of Defence, Deputy Defence Minister Davit Sujashvili expressed his condolences to the Turkish authorities and the Turkish people and “once again” confirmed the support for Georgia's “strategic partner country”.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Thursday vowed support for the Turkish people “in these difficult moments”.
“When Georgia was in trouble, it always felt the help of Turkey. It is part of our friendship to support our Turkish friends”, he said.
More than 100 Georgian professionals left for Turkey on Monday and Wednesday, following the PM’s instructions, to ensure aid for the neighbouring country in search and rescue efforts in the aftermath of the major quake.
The latest figures released early on Friday showed over 21,000 people had been killed in Turkey and at least 3,377 in Syria in the disaster.