President of Georgia – I am talking about hardship of locals residing across the line, which separates relatives, divides villages and where fatal incidents and provocations are part of the everyday life
Being President of Georgia, I am talking about hardship of locals residing across the line, which separates relatives, divides villages and where fatal incidents and provocations are part of the everyday life – Salome Zurabishvili, President of Georgia said during the speech delivered at the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
President of Georgia underlined that wars and conflicts were part of Georgia’s history. She said that Georgia was struggling against different invaders during centuries and that the religion and the country’s identity were persecuted. “However, Georgia survived all hardships and now proudly occupies its place on the map of young democracies,” she said.
President Zurabishvili underlined that the strong spirit of Georgians was the reaction to the tragedy of the August 2008 Russia-Georgia war that was followed by the occupation of the 20% of Georgia’s territory.
President said that creeping occupation, altering of state borders and frequent closure of checkpoints located at the so-called border with both occupied regions made the normal and peaceful life impossible.
“I am speaking on behalf of the citizens who are residing across the territories of occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions where human rights are regularly violated, free movement is limited and the right to accessibility to healthcare and education is infringed,” Zurabishvili claimed.
President of Georgia said that she wanted to warn the international community that Abkhazian language recognized by Constitution of Georgia and Abkhazian identity were on the verge of devastation; the demographic situation of Abkhazian nation was catastrophic and the whole world had to stand together to save and protect the rich cultural diversity of Abkhazia.
“I am talking on behalf of the Internally Displaced Persons who are unable to return to their homes and their ancestor’s land,” Zurabishvili said.
The 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is being held in New York. The general debate is to take place from September 24 to September 30, with dozens of world leaders scheduled to address the General Assembly.
