Mr. Prime Minister,
Mr. Speaker of Parliament,
Mr. Minister of Defense,
Georgian Army, American Military,
Honorary Guests from Azerbaijan and Lithuania,
Members of the Government and the Parliament,
Members of the Constitutional Court,
Chairmen of the Autonomous Republics of Abkhazia and Adjara,
Representatives of the Georgian Orthodox Church,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Representatives of International Organizations,
Our compatriots abroad,
Happy Independence Day to all!
Today is May 26th, Independence Day, the day you take your oath and with this oath, you declare your unwavering loyalty and devotion to Georgia. Today, you are joining the Georgian army - an army that serves as a pillar of the country’s independence and sovereignty. Your presence here today is a sign that none of our struggles for freedom have gone in vain. Our army is a definite sign of our state’s endurance and stability. This army has shown multiple examples of devotion and professionalism in peacekeeping missions beyond the borders of the country. May 26th is the day when we express our gratitude towards the Georgian army and all of us together pay our tribute to all the fallen heroes of all times and places that have fought for the independence and territorial integrity of Georgia. Today, we cannot avoid mentioning the 15 brave men under the command of General Kote Abkhazi, who fought against the Soviet occupation and were shot 100 years ago, on May 21, 1923, at 04:30 in the morning. 100 years have passed, however, they are yet to receive the grave and the honor guard.
That is why, on the occasion of the hundredth anniversary, I introduced the initiative for each of them to receive the Order of National Hero. Kote Abkhazi’s words have been inscribed in our memories and echo the spirit of Ilia, Vazha, Akaki, Niko, and others: “We have to be facing the west, we have to be turned facing the Black Sea”. Even today, this echo resonates with the spirit of our society.
This day was not created by itself. In order for May 26 to occur, our forefathers dedicated their lives to the cause of independence, sacrificed themselves, and spared no effort. We, Georgians knew both self-defense and devotion. We knew the value of freedom and peace. We understood that they are inseparable. Georgians never adhered to living under the shadow of any country nor did they aim to conquer or be hostile towards another country. Under the pressure of the Russian Empire, despite total Russification and the cancellation of the autocephaly of our church by the “coreligionist brother”, despite the destruction of the frescoes, we have managed to preserve both the language and the faith.
Even the 70-year Soviet occupation and the ban on commemorating May 26 failed to annihilate the idea of an independent Georgia. No one has ever been able to kill the thirst for independence and freedom among Georgians. On the contrary, the more they fought against us, the stronger the spirit of independence and society’s determination became. We have come to this day with this dignity, these principles, and this consciousness.
May 26th is nothing but a portrayal of this spirit. A day when we should be taking pride in our past and preparing for a better future for the new generation! A day of celebration and elevated feelings. We have a celebration and a beautiful spectacle. In the meantime, I wish our society were also celebrating in spirit, being assured that the one responsible is truly defending its citizens, strengthening the country, building a free, independent, democratic, and honorable Georgia, and not sparing any effort in doing so.
Today is May 26th and it should be a day of national pride. A day of dedication and honor. If we possess a sense of hope, it is thanks to the youth who with talent, hard work, and determination, have managed to make Georgia renowned whether in sports, culture, or the world's leading universities. I believe that along with free thinking and initiatives, they will ingrain knowledge and professionalism, and create new perspectives for the country.
The sense of hope is also expressed when today, we observe how Abkhazians are defending the land and the property of our country. Hope arises when we see that Georgians there are coping with all kinds of harassment and are renouncing neither the Georgian language nor that makes them Georgian.
We are filled with pride when we look at our population living at the occupation line and despite the most difficult conditions, they do not surrender to the enemy as abductions fail to intimidate and drive them out of their homes.
And our most important hope today is our society, which has shown the world at all the right times its unity, principled stance, solidarity with Ukraine, tolerance, and commitment to the European choice and its values. Everyone has to take into consideration the strength and determination of this society, as it represents our tomorrow.
But today, this society has also felt mixed feelings of misunderstanding and insult.
It is incomprehensible and insulting to our people when our government does not think about the honor and dignity of its own citizens.
It is incomprehensible and insulting when we give our police an impossible task and put them up to a challenge. We all understand very well that a country with occupied territories and a Russian army on its territory must prioritize the defense of stability. This is why, it is the duty of the government to prevent situations that will undoubtedly lead to unrest and escalation. The government is tasked with the responsibility of prevention, rather than testing the patience of its own people.
The government is responsible for protecting the territory and managing the border. One should know who enters and leaves the country. It is hard to believe that family members of the highest political circle of the occupying country entered the country without any prior warning or security guarantees. While constantly appealing for peace and caution, has no one in the government foreseen the danger of escalation? It is as if we have not experienced the example of Gavrilov!
The Law of Georgia on Occupied Territories and the sanctions imposed by the partners cannot be disregarded, as it will lead to protests within the country on the one hand, and disagreements with our strategic partners on the other.
It is also incomprehensible and insulting when the chairman of the ruling party accuses the Georgian people of xenophobia. Our history has no record of such an accusation. An accusation against the country that throughout the centuries has made a name for its tolerance and hospitality.
All of this is proven not only by the past with the 26-century-long coexistence of Georgians and Jews, but also by the present, with us unconditionally accepting and allowing to reside up to 80 000 immigrants from the occupying country. No serious incident has taken place throughout this entire time. This accusation also puts the country’s security in danger, as (we all know and remember that) Russia’s justification for its attacks on neighbors is the protection of the Russian-speaking population.
The independence that we celebrate today in itself entails the protection of citizens from their own state as well. A country being governed by laws and regulations is what constitutes statehood. This is what thinking for the state looks like and should be applicable to everyone. Therefore, it is incomprehensible why no measures and just regulations have been adopted for mass immigration from Russia and activities, especially in areas like healthcare and education, or even the acquisition of real estate and the refusal to pay imposed taxes.
Our foreign policy has also become unclear, while Europe is inscribed in the Constitution. Everyday statements and actions distance us from Europe and lead us toward isolation; the question arises - where did the words “Europe is our civilized choice” disappear?
We quibble with and insult our friendly and partner countries; countries that for 30 years have extended their helping hands and helped us in building and forming the state. Instead, we welcome and greet those who occupy our territories.
Our ancestors knew diplomacy, balanced politics, and caution well, however, it was never deprived of dignity and principles. There is no country or a man that is not afraid of war.
Only a few might know and understand the brutality of war like we do. However, igniting fear in your own society (easy in a country that remembers so many invasions and conquests) or manipulating it cannot be a formula for successful governance. For everyone to be clear about what I mean, let’s remember the fake war report on TV Imedi.
It is incomprehensible and insulting when we count today how many millions will “the gift of flights” bring. Is our dignity really sold for 200-300 million?!
And from this podium, I want to address the families of Giorgi Antsukhelidze and Giga Otkhozoria. As the supreme commander-in-chief of this country, I apologize for the insult, which is not only yours but that of the whole country!
It is incomprehensible when you blame everything on Europe and the US: the attempt to open a second front, “stripping away of being Georgian”, wickedness, and yet you send your children to Europe and the US. Yet in Georgia, you destroy the European future for the new generation.
Today is the day when we should think about all of these, look for a solution, and regain hope for the future.
Hate speech and confrontation replaced mutual understanding and respect. This weakens the state. We should also recall Vazha’s words: “When the fortress breaks from within, then the enemy wins”. This is the real threat of losing being Georgian… with our own hands and will.
How can a nation with our history believe that Russia’s politics can depend on someone’s good or bad behavior or on anything other than its own interest? What depended on Ukraine, when Russia started the war? Anyone who thinks that Russia will return our territories in exchange for our concessions has not learned anything from our history. Or how can we believe that the occupant can care about the well-being of our compatriots? Do we forget who oppresses and abducts our citizens in Abkhazia, Tskhinvali?
We see very well today who is trying to occupy Ukraine and we also see that the world is changing. The myth of Russia’s impenetrability is shattered and there is no space of occupied territories in tomorrow’s world. Today is May 26th and I want to wish our Ukrainian friends victory and unification of their country.
In this wait for the new global order, today, like the government, society is at a crossroads. The society has spoken and expressed its will for Georgia to continue the path to strengthen its independence, establish European democracy, and join the European family. It’s clear that society will not give up the future of their children and will not give up their European choice. The number one rule of all democracies is that you have to fulfill the wish of the people for what you’ve been elected for.
Every government gave this promise of fulfilling this very will to the Georgian people. The current government also gave this promise to the Georgian people, and moreover, has strengthened the Euro-integration path with the Constitution. Today too, the Georgian people stand on this path, and where is the government?
It is time for the government to revert to its given word, its declared purpose, and fulfill the promise given to the people. The government should think about what it can implement in the remaining time, not because someone dictates, but because this is the only way of leading the country to safety.
There is no time for hopelessness and despair. Georgian society never backed down from protecting its national interests and honor, and this has been showcased in recent history as well.
Now it is essential for all of us to see and understand these inevitable changes, believe in ourselves, and prevent anyone from deviating us from the path.
I will be traveling to Brussels on May 31st for this European future and alongside you, will fight to the end to protect our European future. Europe will hear the voice of the Georgian people, the voice of the people who are loyal to May 26 and who despite their different opinions, are united around one idea – that of our independence and that our future belongs in Europe.
Happy Independence Day! Happy May 26th!
Gaumarjos Sakartvelos!