PM: “most important date in recent history” - March 31 memorandum laid foundation for Georgia’s independence

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Sunday marked “the most important date in recent history” - March 31 - the day of referendum that “laid foundation” for the restoration of Georgia’s independence.

The fact of holding the referendum in entire Georgia, including now Russia-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), was “the most important act”, Kobakhidze emphasised in his comments over the 33rd anniversary of the referendum that led to regaining independence by the country from the Soviet Union in 1991.

He also noted it was “symbolic” that the referendum day coincided with the late first President Zviad Gamsakhurdia’s birthday.

Georgia first declared its independence on May 26, 1918, but the three-year democratic republic turned out to be short-lived as the Red Army invasion in early 1921 led to the annexation and Sovietisation of the country.