The News in Brief
Monday, April 10, 2023
Prepared by Messenger Staff
President Salome Zourabichvili Says Georgia's Only Future is Europe
The President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, delivered a speech at the event dedicated to April 9 at the State Theater of Opera and Ballet, and said that she is sorry that on such day she has to defend Georgia's European perspective.
"I am also sorry to have to defend on April 9 that our only and alternative future is Europe. What else? - Do we want a boot? Do we want shovels? Do we not remember our history? We know very well what we want, what this country needs, we have no other alternative.
By slowly leaving here, they choose Europe, and I want them to choose Europe here, here we get what we want from Europe, what is the strengthening of our identity, and here Georgia becomes a European state," stated Zourabichvili.
PM Irakli Gharibashvili Writes on 34th Anniversary of April 9 Tragedy
The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili, published a statement on the 34th anniversary of April 9 and wrote that it is a day of pain and pride at the same time.
"On this day, all of Georgia, united by the idea of freedom, announced to the world the decision to build an independent, democratic, European country. The brutality of the Soviet regime only strengthened the will of the Georgian people, strengthened our desire for independence.
Zviad Gamsakhurdia said: "Everything can be taken away from the nation, but no one can take away the feeling of freedom." This feeling, which defined our entire history, was most clearly manifested on April 9, 1989.
Today is a day of pain and pride at the same time. Once again, we will honor the bright memory of those heroes who paved the way to freedom at the cost of their own blood. We express our gratitude to every citizen who determined the future of not only Georgia, but also the countries of the Soviet Union with unanimity, dedication and support in those heroic days.
Our further progress towards a better Georgia should be based on such unanimity around the ideal of freedom."
On April 9 tragedy anti-Soviet, pro-independence demonstration was brutally crushed by the Soviet Army, killing 21 and injuring hundreds.
President Salome Zourabichvili Says Georgia's Only Future is Europe
"I am also sorry to have to defend on April 9 that our only and alternative future is Europe. What else? - Do we want a boot? Do we want shovels? Do we not remember our history? We know very well what we want, what this country needs, we have no other alternative.
By slowly leaving here, they choose Europe, and I want them to choose Europe here, here we get what we want from Europe, what is the strengthening of our identity, and here Georgia becomes a European state," stated Zourabichvili.
PM Irakli Gharibashvili Writes on 34th Anniversary of April 9 Tragedy
"On this day, all of Georgia, united by the idea of freedom, announced to the world the decision to build an independent, democratic, European country. The brutality of the Soviet regime only strengthened the will of the Georgian people, strengthened our desire for independence.
Zviad Gamsakhurdia said: "Everything can be taken away from the nation, but no one can take away the feeling of freedom." This feeling, which defined our entire history, was most clearly manifested on April 9, 1989.
Today is a day of pain and pride at the same time. Once again, we will honor the bright memory of those heroes who paved the way to freedom at the cost of their own blood. We express our gratitude to every citizen who determined the future of not only Georgia, but also the countries of the Soviet Union with unanimity, dedication and support in those heroic days.
Our further progress towards a better Georgia should be based on such unanimity around the ideal of freedom."
On April 9 tragedy anti-Soviet, pro-independence demonstration was brutally crushed by the Soviet Army, killing 21 and injuring hundreds.