“Everyone should stop dreaming about my resignation. I stand here today, but I will also be traveling everywhere where necessary as this is my supreme constitutional responsibility,” said Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili in a live address to the nation on GPB First Channel.

Below is her address:

“Today, I wish to address the Georgian people, for I am solely accountable to you. My accountability stems from your election of me, and I carry a profound responsibility for the choice you have made. I am fully aware that you elected me because of who I am, who I have been my whole life: that is pro-European, partly European. These are the very reasons that underpin your decision, and I am held accountable for this choice.

I know of the future you want for Georgia, the future the next generation, the youth want. I know that the challenges facing our nation, whether they be corruption, emigration, or the uncontrolled influx of Russians into our country, may not find immediate resolution, however, step by step, these challenges will be addressed upon our joining the European Union.

This is our only perspective. This is why I am not going anywhere; everyone should stop dreaming about my resignation. I stand here today, but I will also be traveling everywhere where necessary as this is my supreme constitutional responsibility. If anything, I am protecting the constitution of this country as I swore on this constitution the day I was inaugurated as the President of Georgia. I will be loyal to this pledge until the very end. This means that the constitution, along with the amendments I have adopted in accordance with it, dictates that every Georgian institution must exert its utmost efforts to support European integration. I consider this to be my supreme and paramount responsibility.

This is the rationale behind my travels and meetings in Berlin, Brussels, and Paris. I capitalize on the trust reposed in me, which first and foremost is the trust vested in you. Had you not demonstrated to the entirety of Europe the significance of this perspective to you, I would not enjoy the trust that I do today when engaging with various leaders.

These leaders are aware that it was your election of me and your choice of this European perspective and future that underlie their support for us, and that’s why they meet me with respect.

I did not earn this respect; you did. I take pride in representing you in various European capitals. I am proud that I am doing it with my own resources even though it may not be right for the president of the country to travel to important meetings with personal resources. Nevertheless, this is of secondary importance.

My journey continues, with plans to visit several countries in the near future. I hope that within the next two to three months, I will manage to visit the major if not all European capitals, conveying your aspirations, and your dreams, and safeguarding your future. It is widely known that Georgia desires this, and Georgia will never return to standing at Russia’s feet. This is our collective responsibility, one you upheld and I supported on March 8th. Together, we will march forward, until we reach our goal, until Georgia stands where it truly belongs.

I know and am confident that we are united in this endeavor. Should the government understand this, it would be highly beneficial; otherwise, its future probably depends on it.

I believe in you, and I trust that you believe in me.

Together, we shall march forward until the very end,” declared the President.

Last week, the ruling party decided to impeach the country’s President, after Salome Zourabichvili “violated” the constitution by traveling to European Union countries without the government’s permission.