President Margvelashvili: I Am Proud to See Georgian and American Forces Standing Together on the Georgian Soil for the Welfare and Prosperity of Our Nations

პოლიტიკა - 19:58, 01 Aug, 2017

954

The President of Georgia, H.E. Giorgi Margvelashvili and the Vice President of the United States of America, Mr. Mike Pence have met with Georgian and American militaries, participating in the military training "Noble Partner 2017" in the Mixed Air Base of Georgia.
Before delivering speeches, President Margvelashvili and Mr. Pence discussed the importance of Georgia-US strategic and military cooperation, the current situation in the occupied regions of Georgia, the security environment in the country and Georgia’s integration into the West. The military contingent has been addressed by President Margvelashvili, Mr. Pence and the Minister of Defense of Georgia, Mr. Levan Izoria.
According to President Margvelashvili, Georgia and the United States of America share common values, interests and aspirations towards freedom. Today, Georgian and American militaries stand shoulder to shoulder to defend global stability, strengthen one another and maintain security for the common Trans-Atlantic community.
“I am proud to see Georgian and American forces standing together on the Georgian soil for the welfare and prosperity of our nations.
You stand in arms for our values and dignity, You stand shoulder to shoulder for our security,
You stand together for the liberty of our people, That is why you are Noble and your Partnership is vital for our common welfare!
Mr. Vice-President,
You are with the nation that has gone through numerous wars for freedom and dignity with strong inner faith of victory. Throughout the centuries we never surrendered this faith and overcome the strongest empires! Freedom is the highest value for Georgians and Americans!
Dedication for liberty unifies our both nations. Our countries are natural partners sharing common values and common goals.
‘All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are: Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness’.
With this spirit, the United States of America was founded. With this same spirit Georgia restored independence and is building a democratic state. On this path assistance of the American people and US Government is crucial.
On this path we have common ideals, objectives and even heroes, like George Balanchine, Alexander Kartveli and General John-Malkhaz Shalikashvili. But our values and lifestyle are challenged.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At this very moment some dozen kilometers away the barbed wire fences are being installed which prohibit the citizens of my country to move freely in their homeland.
In just a few kilometers away, people are being persecuted only because they are Georgians. 20% of my country is occupied because Georgia has decided to be a free and independent nation. This continues for more than a quarter century. The response of the international community appeared not to be enough to stop Russia’s policy to treat its neighborhood as its backyard. This policy has no limits unless we stop it.
De-occupation of Georgian territories must become a game-changer for ending the confrontation paradigm and spheres of privileged interests!
Georgia and the Black Sea region is the historical pillar of the European development. Being a bridge between East and West is a centuries-old natural function of Georgia. My country, as a European nation, creates great opportunities in further strengthening ties between East and West. But to do so, our freedom has to be secure!
Therefore, today, we still need a firm call to “tear down the wall”!
We still need the same spirit of unity that once defeated the Cold War! A victory that was achieved through intelligence, commitment and supreme art, as one old general said - to Winn the war without a fight. We need strong leadership, firm policy unified massages of unacceptance to avoid the era of long instability! Otherwise, the Trans-Atlantic security as well as idea of Europe whole, free and at peace will not be achieved.
Dear Mr. Vice-President,
Your visit today is the strong signal for our strategic partnership! Let me thank you for your strong support of our statehood, democratic development, sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as our European and Euro-Atlantic aspiration. I am confident that your visit will further enhance close ties between our countries. Strength is in Unity – states the Coat of Arms of Georgia!
I do believe that by unity, by expanding Noble Partnership in various dimensions such as: strengthening democracy and state institutions, economic relations, humanitarian, educational, cultural and people-to-people contacts will bring further benefits to our countries, as well as to the entire Euro-Atlantic area.
I am confident that intensive partnership and joint efforts will succeed to create better and more secure future for the generations to come!
God bless our brave solders and our countries”, - stated President Margvelashvili.
The meeting with the militaries has also been attended by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Mr. Giorgi Kvirikashvili with his wife, the Minister of Georgia for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mikheil Janelidze, the Head of the Administration of the President of Georgia, Mr. Giorgi Abashishvili, the Secretary of the National Security Council of Georgia, Mr. Davit Rakviashvili, the Advisor to the President of Georgia for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tengiz Pkhaladze, the Ambassador of the United States of America to Georgia, Mr. Ian Kelly and the Ambassador of Georgia to the United States of America, Mr. Davit Bakradze.