‘Georgia a country of vibrant democracy and modern outlook’
Georgian embassy celebrates 100th anniversary of First Georgian Republic
Following is the speech by HH Roland Beridze, the Ambassador of Georgia to Kuwait.
— Editor
Dear Excellency, Dear Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Salam Aleikum!
Together with my Embassy staff I am glad to see so many friends and colleagues to honor me with their presence today when Georgia is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the establishing of the first democratic republic. I would like to extend my profound thanks to HE Sami Al Hamad, Assistance Foreign Minister for European Affairs, who is here with us today to represent the Kuwait authorities.
Georgia’s Statehood, in a form of a Kingdom, dates back to thousands of years but it was only on 26 May 1918, when the first Democratic Republic of Georgia was born from the ruins of the Russian empire. The Georgian Republic emerged as a unique experiment of democracy, progress and human liberation. The government conducted impressive market economic and land reforms, developed a progressive constitution and made steps toward integration with the West. One hundred years ago, Georgia was among few countries in the world where elections were held by universal suffrage, and gender equality was widely promoted by the Constitution. Six women were elected at the first legislative body of the Georgian Democratic Republic and one of them was a Muslim, PeriKhanumSofieva. We have exhibited some highlights of that period in the hall as well as we offer brochures published by the Georgian Election Committee on the first democratic elections in Georgia.
Regrettably, the First Georgian Republic and its promising prospects lasted only three years. In 1921 this freedom was taken from us by Soviet invasion. Only in 1991 Georgia managed to restore its Independence and its Democratic Republic.
Today, the world is rediscovering Georgia as a country of vibrant democracy, old history, but a modern and competitive outlook. Today’s Georgia is a European democracy, with checks and balances, a level electoral playing field, the rule of law and a free media. Located at a historically vital crossroads, between emerging and developed economies, Central Asia and South-eastern Europe, the Caspian and the Black Seas, Georgia links economies and cultures. As a natural hub on the Silk Road, we bridge countries and regions with free trade and modern infrastructure to facilitate all kinds of flows: goods and services, data, energy, talents and even fashion. Last year we welcomed 7.4 million visitors – almost double the country’s population!
And all these achievements have been attained despite continued, hybrid kind of assault on our democracy, on our sovereignty, on our territorial integrity and on our freedom, regrettably, from our Northern neighbor still on a mission to undermine our statehood. This behavior is condemned by the international community and most of our partners in the Middle East express their unwavering support to our sovereignty.
We view our relations with Kuwait as exemplary, based on the common approach to the majority of international issues and shared understanding that peaceful cooperation is the cornerstone of the continuous development for the benefit of our nations. Kuwait has invariably expressed its strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia. We appreciate this stance and express our profound gratitude to the leadership of Kuwait under the wise guidance of HH Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah.
Today we witness a surge in the interest to visit our country by many thousands of Kuwaitis who enjoy the opportunity of direct flights to Tbilisi operated by all of the airlines based in Kuwait. I want to say they are most welcome!
We look forward to new opportunities for the further development of our close ties with Kuwait in various fields, including trade, tourism and cultural interaction. I am confident it will be beneficial to both our peoples.
Now I would like to take more of your time and to offer a short video clip highlighting the historic experience of Georgian democracy.