The plenary session started with the statement of the Speaker, Archil Talakvadze congratulating the population with the 30th anniversary of the Referendum on Restoration of the Independence of Georgia.

According to him, the Referendum resulted in the expression of the will of the people fighting for freedom, democracy and fair ideals. “30 years ago, on March 31, 1991, the Georgian society unanimously voted for the Referendum on Restoration of Independence on the basis of the Independence Act of May 26, 1918. It was the expression of the unity of the people and the will of the people for freedom and democracy. This day reminds us of our immense responsibility towards the future of our country. It is also noteworthy and I would like to note that the US Congress, by the ad hoc resolution, recognized the outcomes of the Referendum of March 31 as legitimate, which was the recognition of the independence of Georgia and the start of our intact friendship”, - he stated.

MPs served a minute of silence to commemorate the greatest bandmaster and composed, Georgian famous figure Anzor Erkomaishvili.

“On behalf of the Parliament, I express our deepest condolences due to the decease of the Georgian musician, merited bandmaster of Georgian folk music and public figure, Anzor Erkomaishvili. It is the greatest loss for our society and culture as his contribution in maintenance and preservation of Georgian folk music is immense”, - the Speaker added. After the statement, he gave the floor and presidency of the session to his Deputy, Levan Ioseliani.

“It is an honor for me indeed to for the first time take this seat and preside the session on March 31, the day when Georgia held the Referendum, the day when 99% of the electors, still Soviet citizens voted for the birth of Georgian state. Indeed, 30 years ago the Georgian state was born and I would like to thank our Abkhazian and Ossetian brothers for their participation in this process. I do hope that our country will serve as the area for our common progress. It is important and cannot be separated this day and the birthday of our first President, national hero Zviad Gamsakhrudia as without him and Merab Kostava, this day could never occur, and on the other hand, without our confrontation that still lasts, Zviad Gamsakhrdia could be still alive and sitting in this hall. Today, we would turn 82 and I would like to congratulate you all and the population of Georgia of the 30th anniversary of the Referendum and the birthday of our national hero, Zviad Gamsakhurdia”, - he stated and allocated 30 minutes for the political statements.

According to the Chair of the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee, Mikheil Sarjveladze, “the unified efforts, integrity of the Georgian nation in the position we truly had in history – all these are paramount, a breakthrough for the history of Georgia when the Georgian people made a decision to be independent and realize own potential having the right to speak a word at the international theatre, to be amongst other nations, to be unique and dignified with its capacity, including the folk music we are famous for and on this occasion, we commemorate a merited bandmaster, Anzor Erkomaishvili today”.

Alexander Elisashvili: “I congratulate you on the restoration of the statehood and the 30th anniversary of the Referendum. We should be excited today but frankly speaking, I feel so heavy inside due to the vain negotiations yesterday as, after 30 years of restoration of our statehood, we still need the mediator”.

Tamar Taliashvili, Deputy Chair of the Sports and Youth Issues Committee: “This day 30 years ago Georgia held an important Referendum, passed through its Golgotha on the way of independence and this referendum was that ensured recognition of independence, which was rooted in the soul and heart of Georgian people for centuries. Ilia Chavchavadze once told: Language, Homeland and Religion – these were the integral creed 30 years ago for us and today, we still have to do so much to achieve integrity, and it requires hard work”.

Kakhaber Kutchava, Vice-Speaker: “It is a notable day indeed. 30 years ago, this hall witnessed the statement the Georgian people were waiting for decades. It is a day when our independence started when we started taking the first steps to democracy. We have been through so many tests, which made us even stronger, enhancing our democracy. These words also echoed in the US Senate a couple of days ago, which is also very important. I am particularly upset to see the half-empty hall in the Parliament. Yesterday, we had a chance to achieve the consensus and take steps to the compromise”.

Shalva Papuashvili, First Deputy Chair of the Education and Science Committee: “This anguish is doubled for me – on the one hand, I being the member of Georgian society, express my condolences for Anzor Erkomaishvili as he was the person who preserved the Georgian folk music, and on the other hand, I am a person who participated in the Folk Ensemble “Martve” established by this merited bandmaster. These were the years when I was penetrated with love to Georgian folk and culture and these were the years of national liberation when our society was so integral and united”.

David Matikashvili, First Deputy Chair of the Legal Issues Committee: “This day is a confirmation that we still fight for our independence. We need to ultimately manage and look to the future of our children and overcome this curse we suffer for centuries. Yesterday, we were once again assured that the destruction won over the construction and we still linger in the capture of party interests instead of the bright future of our country”.

Irakli Chikovani, Deputy Chair of the Faction “Georgian Dream”: “March 31, 1991, is the most important day in the modern history of Georgia when the modern Georgian state was born and all the values have been founded that should serve the pillars for our future development”. According to him, this is the birthday of the first President of Georgia, Zviad Gamsakhrudia. “He created the model of the national hero and played a significant role in the provision of the European perspective of our country”, - he added.

Ramina Beradze, Deputy Chair of the Faction “Georgian Dream”: “30 years ago, Georgia started the building of the independent state, 30 years ago, Georgian people by the referendum expressed its intact will for independence and was unified around this idea. Since we keep an irreversible democratic development path. I would like to congratulate the Georgian people but this day is a day of anguish for us all, as we lost our great bandmaster, Anzor Erkomaishvili, musician, politician, folk master, conductor, merited figure, honorary citizen of Tbilisi, author of various books and founder of Ensemble “Rustavi”.

After the political statements, MPs resumed with the agenda.

The Chair of the Legal Committee, Anri Okhanashvili introduced the draft organic law on Common Courts for the accelerated consideration and the I reading.

The draft is based on the Venice Commission recommendations and concerns the election of the Supreme Court Judges by the High Council of Justice.

He dwelt on the principles of the changes and elucidated that the draft includes 4 key components – openness, the composition of the rating list, additional appeal mechanisms, and mandatory substantiation for the transparency of the selection of the candidates.

He also introduced the Bill on Incompatibility of Interests and Corruption in Public Service and overviewed the technical changes.

MPs expressed their positions about the bills and elected Shalva Papuahvili as the Chair of the Education and Science Committee with 83 votes.