Embassy of the USA to Georgia Celebrates the Independence Day
On July 3, the Embassy of the United States of America to Georgia hosted a large-scale reception, devoted to the occasion of the 243th Independence Day of the USA.
The celebration brought together the representatives of the public and private sectors, politicians, diplomatic corps, civil society, as well as media. Mamuka Bakhtadze, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, the President of the country and Archil Talakvadze, the Parliament Speaker were also among the attendees.
All the guests were welcomed by the official delegation of the USA, led by Elizabeth Rood Chargé d'Affaires at the US Embassy.
The year of 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the moon-landing. Due to this reason the official ceremony was opened with the Georgian folk song Chakrulo, performed by the Rustavi Ensemble, which was sent in space in 1977. Chakrulo was followed by the playing of the Georgian and US national anthems.
Chargé d'Affaires, Elizabeth Rood delivered the welcoming speech, which she started with appeal to join her in the minute of silence to recognize the loss of the Smith family, who were killed in Georgia a year ago.
She also accentuated on the significance of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, when a man stepped on the moon for the first time, saying:
“This anniversary reminds us of the incredible things that nations can do when they are free and democratic and work together.”
In her addressing the Chargé d'Affaires focused on the progress of Georgian in terms of democratization.
“Today Georgia faces difficult challenges,” stated Rood. “But it chooses to face them bravely. Georgia chooses a Western Path. Georgia chooses to pursue democracy, build prosperous economy and defend its sovereignty. And America, as Georgia’s steadfast partner supports and it. We consider it as a shared mission,” said Rood.
The US Chargé d'Affaires concluded her speech with the following words:
“My colleagues at the American Embassy and I are all proud to spend our summer in Georgia,” thus joining the major social campaign that calls on thousands of individuals all around the globe to travel to Georgia for the summer holidays.
Prime Minister Bakhtadze also took to the stage, sending best wishes to the USA and the US nation on the Independence Day. The Head of the Georgian Government strongly accentuated the strategic partnership between Georgia and the USA and expressed gratitude to the USA for the support.
President Zurabisvhili and Parliament Speaker Talakvadze also congratulated the USA on this important date, noting that Georgia and the USA share a multiplicity of values.
The Georgian President stated that she spent 12 years in the US, which played an important role in her future life.
“Along with my personal ties to the USA, but of course our connection is based our common values that unite us,” stated Zurabishvili, adding “the fact that the human dignity, human freedom is pivotal and above all.”
Independence Day is a federal holiday in the United States of America, celebrated on July 4 in commemoration of the Declaration of Independence by the USA on this date in the 1776.
By Ketevan Kvaratskheliya
Image source: president.gov.ge