“Some forces are trying to portray our allies and partners as the war party, which wants to drag Georgia in a long shot and confrontation. This is a lie and immorality,” said Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili at the event dedicated to the 33rd anniversary of the Georgian Defence Forces.

According to the President, some dark forces are trying to split Georgian society.

“Some dark forces came into play, trying to split the society and the country, which they could not force to kneel or weaken with ethnic conflicts, civil wars, invasion and occupation. The enemy knows that making a crack in the society could weaken Georgia.

For over 30 years, the country and its society have been united around the common aim of the European Perspective as the only way to independence, sovereignty, identity, diversity, tolerance, peace and development.

For these 33 years, Georgia has witnessed crises, unrest, and different political movements, though nobody has questioned the primary goal. The Georgian army knows best who is an enemy and who is a friend,” she said.

President Zourabichvili noted that Georgian soldiers served in international peace missions and contributed to global security and the fight against terrorism.

“Today, some forces want to portray our allies and partners as an unknown war party, which wants to drag Georgia in a long shot and confrontation. It is a lie and immorality. We know best who fought against the Georgian state and its independence for the last 30 years, who had fought against Georgian language, churches, faith and independence since the 19th century,” she said.

Salome Zourabichvili reminded the soldiers of who trained them, who provided them with modern military equipment, and who facilitated Georgia at difficult times.

“Today, when the country is at the crossroads and has to make the existential choice, to be or not to be, since existence without freedom is non-existence, we are obliged to find a way for unity, demonstrate persistence, courage, an example of attitude and love for the motherland, and whoever sows controversy, provocation, is also against his own army and homeland. Whoever preaches unity is betting on the country’s future and youth,” she said.

The President underscored that the Georgian army stands on the guard of Georgia’s future.

“Long live to all who protect tomorrow’s strong, united and European Georgia,” she stated.