Government Leaders Pay Tribute on the 30th Anniversary of the Fall of Sokhumi
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, September 28, 2023
On the day marking the 30th anniversary of the fall of Sokhumi, Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili, Tbilisi's mayor Kakha Kaladze, and State Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality Thea Akhvlediani, along with other government officials, paid their respects to those who lost their lives in the fight for Georgia's unity and laid a wreath at the heroes' memorial to honor the fallen.
"This war has left a devastating mark in our country - ethnic cleansing has turned hundreds of thousands into refugees in their own homeland and, most regrettably, many of our compatriots have tragically fallen victim to it. The de-occupation of the Russia-occupied regions and the country's unification remain the main challenge facing our state and society," Prime Minister stated.
"The day of the fall of Sokhumi embodies the immeasurable pain experienced by the entire nation of Georgia, recalling the tragic history of hundreds of thousands of people affected by the Russian-inspired armed actions of the 1990s. Today, we remember our compatriots, including heroes, military personnel, and civilians who lost their lives in Abkhazia. We pay tribute to the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of freedom and the unity of our country.
I believe it is crucial to acknowledge that, alongside the brutality of war, we also remember instances of dignified cooperation, human empathy, support, and the enduring friendship between Abkhazians and Georgians. Their history of peaceful coexistence, built on mutual respect over many years, forms the foundation upon which we can establish long-term peace and reconciliation. We are confident that, in this spirit, we can unite our people, foster prosperity, and create a better future for them within a strong, developed, and European state," stated Akhvlediani.
Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze emphasized at the municipal meeting that peace and development are the only viable paths to reunify Georgia. He also stressed that there is no alternative to pursuing peace and the potential for coexistence with the Abkhazians.
"One of the most difficult and tragic dates in recent history is the day of the fall of Sokhumi. This date is undeniably painful for each of us, every Georgian. It marks the beginning of interrupted lives for our civilians, heroic fighters, the displaced population, and the division of Georgia. I would like to pay tribute to the memory of those who sacrificed for our territorial integrity, and I want to emphasize that there is no alternative to peace and development. Only through these means can our homeland be reunified, and together, we can build a brighter future. I am confident that we will find our way back to one another and live together," stated Kaladze.
