Georgia does not and will not try to return territories by war, this is our unwavering decision. We all see that the territories gained through war bring nothing, neither development nor self-establishment or protection of identity, said Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili.

President noted that accelerated European prospects are visible for Georgia. She called on citizens in the occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions to walk together on the path of democracy, self-determination, and freedom.

“I want to address you today from here, from the Palace of the President of Georgia, to address you at a time when someone may try to manipulate the threat of war and create false fears. You should know that I am responsible for my words, as the elected President, I am responsible for the promise made by Georgia because the Caucasus does not break its own word or promise.

Georgia does not and will not try to return the territories by war, this is our unwavering decision. We all see that the territories gained through war bring nothing, neither development, nor self-establishment, nor protection of identity.

Today, Georgia’s perspective has become even clearer – accelerated European integration. We want to offer you to walk together on this path leading to democracy, self-determination, and freedom. Unity cannot be achieved by force or enslavement of others. We have passed this path. Therefore, diversity, pluralism, multi-ethnicity, as well as multi-party system are integral parts of this unity. This also means that we should be able to make concessions, take into account the opinion of others or at least understand them, and put the interests of the country above our personal, partisan or other interests. I wish this to all of Georgia on this glorious day of April 9,” Zurabishvili said.

According to President, a united society cannot be defeated. She said that a common language should be found to have a common future.

“One thing we must remember from the experience of April 9 is that we can be weakened only by internal confrontation. Disagreement opens the way for the enemy, whether inside or outside the country. A united society cannot be defeated. This also applies to our citizens living in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, with whom we must finally find a common language, without which there will be no common future,” Zurabishvili said.

To our people in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region: know that our promise is unwavering. Georgia is not and will not try to return territories by war.

We want to extend a hand to you and offer to walk together on this European path of democracy, self-determination, freedom pic.twitter.com/ti1blolWY6

— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) April 9, 2022