Leaders, top diplomats of Georgia’s partner countries congratulate Georgians on Independence Day
The foreign ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia and Albania congratulated the Georgian Government and people on Independence Day and expressed hope that bilateral relations and cooperation in all areas of common interest would further deepen. Photo via Defence Ministry
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Political leaders and top diplomats from Georgia’s partner countries on Sunday congratulated Georgian citizens on Independence Day.
Charles III, the King of the United Kingdom and the 14 other Commonwealth realms, extended his congratulations to the Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili and the Georgian people by saying he “values” the bond between the UK and Georgia and expressing hope to continue to “work closely” together on important global issues.
On behalf of the Azerbaijani people, the country’s President Ilham Aliyev expressed his “sincere congratulations” to the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze and Georgians on Independence Day. He highlighted the relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia, which were based on the “unshakable will and spirit of our friendly people”, who “have lived for centuries in conditions of friendly, good neighbourliness and mutual understanding”.
I am sure that for the well-being of our people, for the stability and security of our region, we will successfully continue our joint efforts in all fields, in the direction of expanding Georgian-Azerbaijani relations, realising our joint initiatives, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation and strategic partnership”, Aliyev emphasised.
Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, “sincerely congratulated” the Georgian people and President, and reaffirmed France's unwavering support for the sovereignty and independence of Georgia “on this very symbolic day to mark the restoration of its independence”.
Georgia must choose its own path. The European way is the one of the promise of law, democracy and common prosperity within the framework of dialogue and a trustworthy and respectful partnership”, he added.
In his congratulatory letter, the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan “heartily congratulated” his Georgian counterpart and people of Georgia on the national holiday and wished “peace, prosperity and new achievements” to the country, adding “from the moment of gaining independence [by Georgia]” the development of cooperation with “friendly” Georgia was “one of the most important directions” of Armenia’s foreign policy.
He highlighted the strategic partnership between the two countries and stressed with the “joint and consistent work” of the two governments, Armenia and Georgia would further deepen and expand relations.
The Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs sent “warm regards” to Georgian people celebrating Independence Day and said “as Georgia stands at a crossroads I reaffirm Latvia’s support to Georgia’s European future the people have chosen”.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan sent a congratulatory letter to Georgian counterpart Ilia Darchiashvili, highlighting Georgia as “not only a friendly country but also a strategic partner”. He noted that as a neighbouring country, Georgia played “an important role” in the Black Sea region in the direction of peace, stability and prosperity, as well as in deepening economic cooperation”.
Chinese FM Wang Yi expressed hope that the “fruitful relations” between the two states would “develop steadily in the future”, pointing out the establishment of the strategic partnership between Georgia and China last year.
In his letter sent to Georgian FM, Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan congratulated Georgia on the national day and wished for further strengthening of people ties and strategic partnership between the two countries, which would bring prosperity to Armenia, Georgia and the South Caucasus region.
Azerbaijani FM Jeyhun Bayramov highlighted Georgia as a “strategic partner, friend and neighbour” and wished the country “progress and success” on Independence Day.
In his congratulatory letter, the Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski emphasised that Poland unwaveringly supported Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations and its territorial integrity and sovereignty within internationally recognised borders. “The difficult historical experience of Poland and Georgia has taught us how important sovereignty is, and at the same time the alliance with partners”, he noted.
The foreign ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia and Albania congratulated the Georgian Government and people on Independence Day and expressed hope that bilateral relations and cooperation in all areas of common interest would further deepen.
The top diplomats of Estonia and Lithuania also congratulated Georgia on Independence Day and expressed “strong support” for Georgia and its European path in their messages.
Georgia also received congratulatory messages from foreign ministries of India, Israel, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, the Republic of Maldives, the Philippines, and other Asian countries.
Foreign ambassadors and international partners extended their messages of congratulation to Georgian citizens on the country’s Independence Day on Sunday.
New recruits of the Georgian Defence Forces took their oath in six cities across the country to launch celebrations of Independence Day on Sunday.
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.
Georgia’s Independence Day, celebrated on May 26, will be marked in more than 70 cities of the world with various events in May and June, with the involvement of the Georgian Foreign Ministry and the country’s diplomatic missions abroad.