President Kavelashvili: King Erekle’s life reminds us that serving one’s country demands an understanding of geopolitical realities and upholding the primacy of national interests in difficult times

“King Erekle II is one of the most distinguished statesmen in Georgia’s history, whose name is associated with the struggle for our country’s freedom, the defence of the state’s interests and supreme responsibility before the homeland,” President Mikheil Kavelashvili wrote on social media.

According to him, King Erekle’s chief moral and political concern was the survival of Georgian statehood, national identity and his own people.

“Happy Erekleoba! One of Georgia’s most renowned historical statesmen, King Erekle II is remembered for his enduring fight for national liberty and his steadfast defence of the realm’s interests.

In an extremely difficult geopolitical era, when Kartli-Kakheti faced an existential threat, relentless aggression, demographic collapse and the danger of the nation’s physical annihilation, King Erekle’s chief moral and political concern was the survival of Georgian statehood, national identity and his own people.

His efforts to unify the country, strengthen it politically and economically, and develop education reflected King Erekle’s far-sighted vision: that Georgia’s future should rest on a strong state, an educated society and national unity.

This legacy remains significant today. His life reminds us that serving one’s country requires not only courage but also an understanding of the geopolitical realities surrounding it, a statesmanlike mindset, and upholding the primacy of national interests in even the most difficult circumstances.

I extend special congratulations on this day to Telavi and to the whole of Kakheti. The memory of King Erekle II and his legacy as a statesman will always hold a worthy place in our country’s history,” Mikheil Kavelashvili wrote.