Members of European Parliament Congratulate Georgia

To celebrate Georgia’s Independence Day, we pass on to the Georgian people the messages of congratulations from numerous Brussels-based MEPs- messages of support, admiration, fond memory and recognition of the struggles Georgia has gone through and is still battling with on its path to European integration. 

Romain Strasser, Secretary General of the EU & Georgia Friendship Group in the European Parliament

The 26 of May 2018 is an important date in Georgian history. 100 years ago, the act of independence was adopted and the First Democratic Republic of Georgia was established. I express my warm congratulations to all the citizens of Georgia on this important event. Georgia’s history was and still is not an easy one. Therefore, the country decided to fight for freedom and democratic values and has undertaken lots of reforms with the aim of coming closer to the EU and NATO. The EU welcomes this process and gives its moral political and financial support to assisting Georgia on its path to EU integration. The visit of the EC President Juncker, together with high-level delegation, once more indicates the respect and support that the EU has for Georgia and its European aspirations. Let me congratulate you once again and say that I hope to see Georgia as an EU member state in the not so distant future.

Gunnar Hokmark, MEP, Sweden

I would like to congratulate Georgia on the establishment of it as a Democratic Republic 100 years ago. Georgia was one of the first countries to enter real democracy. Then followed the interventions from the Soviets, the repression and the dictatorship, but now we see a new Georgia emerging and I can only say that all of us in Europe hope that Georgia is on a stable path of development to being more democratic and more stable in its rule of law. Georgia belongs in the European family we are forming today, and I would like Georgia to be as close as possible. I’m not talking about geographical distances, I’m talking about the community of democracies.

Urmas Paet, MEP, Estonia

Dear people of Georgia, I congratulate you on your Independence Day! Coming from Estonia, I know very well what the value of being free is, and what the value of being independent is. Georgia has not had the easiest history, even during the 20th century where there were difficulties which we Estonians also shared. The value of freedom, the value of liberty, be it freedom of expression, press freedom, economic freedom, citizens’ rights: are all of utmost value and utmost importance for Georgia’s future. I hope that the proud people of Georgia work every day to secure that freedom, to secure the liberties in your society. I congratulate you on your independence!

Ana Gomes, MEP, Portugal

My congratulations to the Georgian people on the anniversary of the first republic. My congratulations also on the European future for which Georgians clearly demonstrate a desire. It will be a future of freedom, of democracy, accountability, good governance, respect for the rule of law, and respect for the rights of all citizens of Georgia. We all know that Georgia lives in a very, very rough neighborhood, under the weight and dark shadow of its northern neighbor, which is occupying the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. But it’s only through the will of Georgians, through their desire, that they can prevail and live up to the European values. There are forces that do not want change, forces that don’t want to relinquish old allegiances, but I trust that the people of Georgia, judging from the experience of the very first republic and from the more recent past, will remain strong on the path leading towards Europe and democracy.

Clare Moody, MEP, UK

I want to congratulate Georgia on the centenary anniversary of the Parliament that was set up in 1918. Reading about how it was at the time, there were multiple comments from my country, from countries across Europe, celebrating what that government did for the people of Georgia, the laws that it brought in: it was seen as an incredibly progressive government. As I know, it also involved full voting rights for women, which didn’t happen for another 10 years in the UK; so there’s a lot to celebrate about that 1918 government, and I think it’s right that you are doing so; and in celebrating that, celebrating your current democracy as well!

Rebecca Harms, MEP, Germany

Let me tell all the Georgian citizens that I feel very honored that I can support your commitment, your development towards European integration, which Georgians want so much. Especially on the occasion of your anniversary, I wish you a very successful future. Kvelaper Kargs Gisurvebt! (Georgian: “I wish you all the best!”)

Doris Pack, Former MEP, President of EPP Women

You Georgians have a long tradition of fighting and overcoming your obstacles. You’re celebrating the 100th anniversary of your country’s independence as a republic. You should and are rightfully proud of what you’ve achieved so far. I hope the future brings years of prosperity and good governance to you!

Andrejs Mamikins, MEP, Latvia

Dear citizens of Georgia, I wish to congratulate you on the anniversary of your country's independence! I sincerely wish your country prosperity, liberty and peace.

Your country firmly overcame all the difficulties, defended its values, built a successful democratic country, and created a happy and free society with formidable infrastructure. Georgia has really become a visiting card of the Caucasus region. For a century, the proud Georgian people have proven the strength and the independence of their soul.

Georgia and the EU have long maintained intensive friendly relations. That is why Georgia is an important partner of the European Union both in the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership. The Association Agreement signed between the EU and Georgia four years ago and the visa-free regime to the Shengen Zone prove it. I’m confident that Georgia and the EU are moving to a new level in their relationship.

See Mr Mamikins speaking in this video interview.

Jaromir Stetina, MEP, Czech Republic

Dear Georgian friends! I was born in Prague. Why is this important? Because I was born in the former Czech Republic and the fates of our two countries are very similar. We too celebrate the 100th anniversary of our own country this year. We have common enemies, too; both countries had to endure the rule of great totalitarian regimes, be it one of Hitler or a soviet one. But I’m sure we share a common future too! I hope that in several years, we’ll be meeting in the European Union. All the best to you!

Heidi Hautala, MEP, Finland (VP of the European Parliament)

We are celebrating the centennial of Georgian independence. My country, Finland, celebrated the same date one year ago. We were the lucky ones: we retained our independence. But I think the three years of the independent Georgian Republic were hugely important: it established a new parliament where women were allowed to vote and stand as candidates in elections. Unfortunately, this period didn’t last long, but I was very happy and privileged to visit the new Georgia, in 1992, when I was invited by your former PM Zurab Zhvania, who was my good friend. And I have seen spectacular progress towards freedom in Georgia ever since. My warmest congratulations and I am sure this year will prove to be very important for EU-Georgia relations.

By Vazha Tavberidze

The material was prepared in the scope of the “Messages from Brussels” series, a project of the European Alliance for Georgia, a Brussels-based NGO aiming to bring more Georgia into Europe.