Pursuant to Article 44 of the Constitution of Georgia, the President of Georgia, Mme. Salome Zourabichvili delivered her annual report to the Parliament at the extraordinary plenary session.

“It is a very important date – April 9, which is important with two great historical contexts. April 9, 1989, was the day when the Soviet Army mercilessly routed the peaceful rally of the Georgian citizens on Rustaveli Avenue. It is the gravest and unforgettable pain for us and a new page of the history of Georgia. April 9, 1991, was the day of the Universal Referendum, on the basis of the results of which, the first President of Georgia, Zviad Gamsakhurdia declared the restoration of the statehood independence of Georgia in the Parliament. It is noteworthy that the President of Georgia, Mme. Salome Zourabichvili delivers her report on this very day”, - the Speaker, Archil Talakvadze stated at the beginning of the session and gave the floor to the President.

By the call of the President, MPs served a minute of silence to commemorate the victims of the tragedy of April 7, 2021.

“Today, we are here in the Parliament, where 30 years ago the then Parliament signed the Act of Restoration of Independence of Georgia. I opted on this day for my annual report as this date is connected to the important events of our recent history. Often, April 9 is equated with the tragedy of 1989 and the mourning of the nation, though, April 9, 1991, overcame this tragedy and converted it into the symbol of the victim. This day is a triple victory for Georgia! Firstly, because on April 9, the peaceful citizens were not scared of Russian tanks and never dropped the State Flag, they are the precursors of our victory. Thus, we need to commemorate and respect them not as the victims but as the victorious figures. Their victory is that after 30 years Georgia is an independent state! The second victory is that April 9 follows March 31 – the greatest victory of the referendum, when Georgia expressed its unanimous will – declaration of independence. It was a victory over the 70-year Soviet ideology and totalitarian system. And the third victory was that the Independence Act of April 9 means the universal victory, victory of these people – Cadets in 1921, executed officers and the Patriarch of Georgia Ambrosius in 1923, the rebels of 1922, 1923 and 1924, and naturally, the heroes of April 9, Zviad Gamsakhurdia, who won over the much stronger enemy and restored the state of centennial history”, - the President stated.

According to her, the last 30 years were hard, full of conflicts, wars, confrontations, occupation of territories, victims but also full of uninterrupted progress, development and regaining of the national, European path. We cannot speak of April 9 not understanding that only unity makes strength.

“We cannot speak of April 9 not understanding that only the unity makes strength. Unity cannot be obtained by coercion or slavery. We have been through this way and will never return. Diversity, a multitude of positions, multitude of parties – all these are integral parts of this unity and it is called freedom. It implies that we shall also be concessive, open to other positions and putting the national interests over others! Our past was a lesson for us that we win when stand united and we lose when we are divided and none of the parties wills to listen to each other. April 9 is clear evidence of this!”

According to her, today, when we encounter the acutest challenges, we need to trust our historical experience and achieve unity.

“Our healthcare system encounters the unprecedented challenge and it is a global challenge – the pandemic. It is the time, when I consider it unacceptable that some Georgian citizens residing abroad, without single humanity or sympathy, criticizes the strategy of the country while offering nothing, and thus, seeding distrust and desperation”.

The President considers it unacceptable when the famous figures of the country, using their social networks, distribute negative information about the vaccination and trigger fear in the people. In this situation, we need to be reasonable, and putting our emotions behind us, show solidarity and engagement of all parties, at least in terms of vaccination.

“We need to understand that timely victory over the pandemic cannot be considered a victory of a government or party. It will be the victory of society that can be achieved by the uniform and responsible approach solely”.

According to her, the first step to unanimity is an equal application of regulations. "The responsibility of the Government is not enough and the faith of our society lies through the consciousness of every citizen, wearing masks, timely vaccination and care. Without a unanimous approach and solidarity, we cannot protect the public health or save our economy”.

The second gravest challenge is to overcome the crisis. In this context, the positions differ. Some think that the economy shall stand as an absolute priority and the restrictions shall be annulled, while others believe that health and human lives prevail.

“We need to be solidary to address this crisis. Our joint efforts and inclusive approach, as well as social responsibility, will allow us to revive our economy, attract investments and help our vulnerable strata”. The society shows dissent about the economic-related issues, as is demonstrated by the confrontation about “Namakhvani”. “On the one hand, there is society, the concern of which we do understand and share, they require the protection of our natural resources and land from the gross interference and impact. The local population appeals about the threats that can be posed to the ecology, agriculture, wine-making and tourism in the region. On the other hand, there are those, to prefer the investments, restoration of economy and energy independence”.

Both sides provide strong arguments and find no alternative. In this situation, it is expedient to set up the State Commission composed of economists, energetics, natural scientists, local population and international experts to discuss the prospects in energy direction. “The discussions shall be transparent and can be hosted by the Presidential Palace as a platform”.

In her speech, the President named the EU integration and de-occupation as the key objectives. “It is a challenge that is absolutely incompatible with the split between the country and society. We all, at least theoretically know that we cannot afford the dissents about these objectives as it pours water on the mill of our enemies. It is inadmissible for the political forces to try to gain a monopoly over our Western aspiration in the country, when de-occupation, EU and NATO membership are approved by the absolute majority of the population, and to call other forces as pro-Russian, put our unanimity on occupation and strategic orientation under doubt and thus, justify own ambitions. I cannot imagine that in the country, countering occupation backed by the Europe and America as the partners, some hold totally undignified campaign against the state interests”.

Some can believe that it will undermine the political rivals and increase their own political power but in fact, it damages the country, its future, its fight against the occupation, its economic progress and EU integration.

“The opposition shall forget the approach that they care of nothing if they are not in the authority. However, the Government also shall understand that they shall at least try to achieve consensus, for instance, on the nomination of our candidate to the EU for 2024, which has never been discussed with the opposition and even with the President. If we fail to create our future together, we will fail to fight the occupation or achieve the EU integration”.

Occupation is the most sacral issue and no absurd accusations shall be made towards each other. “We need to show more attention and care to all manipulations that can derive from beyond. Should we show such care, we would not encounter the turmoil about Pozner’s visit or admit Gavrilov to the Speaker’s seat. Every acute issue requires the participation of the political parties and sharing their positions. It is vital to prevent populism and short-term political slogans and show reasonable positions and compromises to discuss the future priorities of the country. Approach to these issues constitutes the responsibility of the political leader towards the country”.

According to her, against the acutest challenges, the political confrontation and polarization cannot lead us out of the deadlock. “I hoped that today, April 9 we would put yet another brick for our future, find the common interests and dissociate party and national interests, outline the truly national way to Europe. I hoped to see the full hall today. If the EU integration is the only prospect of Georgia, we shall not lose this greatest chance we enjoy today”.

It was an unprecedented fact evidencing the importance of Georgia, its democracy and stability for Europe and how close we are to it. According to the President, we enjoy the greatest support from the EU, though we failed to properly realize and value it. “Not only financial or material but political and moral, personal engagement of the EU officials to help us address the polarization and find our way out of the political deadlock, to get the street processes back to the Parliament – never Georgia remembers such a gesture, except the period of war”.

On behalf of the Georgian society, the President thanked the European and American facilitators and hoped that their efforts will not be vain.

Both sides should concede, she noted, though none of them could find courage for the compromise. “The Government failed to find the courage to put the stability and democratic progress and alliance with Europe over “standalone” details. I hope, it will still happen; and the opposition failed to find the courage to get released from the external blackmail and pressure, respect own electors and choose the only way by returning to the multi-party Parliament, which is open for the oppositional activity for those who really want to hold political activity. Both sides think that they left this process victorious and lie to themselves that they did not “concede” their principles, but in fact, there are principles of two categories: serving for justification of own actions and leading to the true way. The offered text offers such pragmatic and balanced compromises".

“Today, on the example of aspiration of April 9, I would like to call everyone to make the decision without alternative. I believe that we all think over and understand that our common future now lies on the scales and none of the parties can be victorious or defeated – the zero game has ended and we have the only way left – agreement and progress”.

The President demands the return of the Georgian Ambassador to Ukraine.

She declared solidarity to Ukrainian people and stated that the Ambassador shall be immediately returned. “I do not want to end my speech on April 9, day of restoration of our independence, without mentioning the fight of our Ukrainian friends, expressing my solidarity to them. I believe that we need to immediately return our Ambassador to Ukraine as a sign of our solidarity”.