In 2030 “strong, united” Georgia should become EU member, together with Abkhazian, Ossetian brothers - PM on Independence Day

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Sunday marked the country’s Independence Day celebrations by saying that “[everyone’s] Georgian dream is to live in a united and strong” Georgia, together with “our Abkhazian and Ossetian brothers and sisters”, and to become a full-fledged member of the European family in 2030 - 40 years after the restoration of the country’s independence.

106 years ago, on May 26, the state independence of Georgia was restored and the foundation was laid for the first Georgian Republic, which, although, existed only for 3 years, left us with the most precious legacy of democratic governance”, Kobakhidze noted, while congratulating “every citizen” of the country celebrating the “most important” national holiday.

The PM also congratulated recruits who took “the oath of loyalty to the motherland on this remarkable day” and stressed Georgians “have been faithfully working, fighting and sacrificing themselves” for the independence of the country for 3000 years, adding “at the crossroads of empires, it was this loyalty and self-sacrifice that enabled our small, but proud country to maintain its freedom and state independence”.

I bow before every hero who sacrificed their most precious life for the independence of Georgia”, the Head of the Government said.

He noted the recent history of Georgia and the current processes in the modern world “have shown that sovereignty is the most effective guarantee of the country’s security”, adding “with the protection of God, the work and struggle of each one of us, we will definitely achieve the Georgian dream and create a united and strong Georgia, which will take its rightful place in the common European family with sovereignty, dignity and values”.

Today, more than ever, we must be careful about the state independence of Georgia. [and] We should take care of the three pillars of the national identity of Georgia - homeland, language and faith. We must take care of each other and defeat hatred, because what was destroyed by enmity can only be rebuilt with love”, Kobakhidze said in his address.

The PM highlighted that Georgians “have saved our small country, located in the epicentre of the conflict between empires, by loving the motherland and each other”, and stressed that the great empires had fallen because “their only driving force was greed and hatred”.

The Head of the Government also pointed out Georgia was still facing “the most difficult challenges”, but noted that “Georgian society is much more experienced than it was in the first years of the restoration of independence, [...] and the country is ruled by the Government, who stands on guard of the sovereignty and independence of Georgia, and protects its national interests”.

Over the past 34 years, Georgia has gone through many trials. We went through three wars in the early 90s. Between 2004 and 2012, we experienced the loss of de facto independence, authoritarianism, agents’ ruling, and the fourth war. The inexperience of society and the betrayal of politicians cost our country a temporary loss of 20 percent of its territory. From 2012 to the present, we have undergone numerous attempts to undermine the sovereignty and independence of Georgia, especially over the past 4 years”, he said.

Kobakhidze emphasised that “the unity and reasonable steps have given the Government the opportunity” to maintain peace in the country for the past two years, “despite existential threats and multiple betrayals, including the betrayal of the President of Georgia”.