Despite the war, occupation and other pressures, the Georgian people chose their path, said the President of Georgia at the Orbeliani Palace, where citizens have gathered.

“Congratulations my compatriots, congratulations here in Georgia and to you who are beyond the borders. Congratulations, residents of the occupied territories, because I know one thing for sure, our European future is also your European future. Congratulations, because this day belongs to you, this day is the achievement of Georgia.

I am really happy today. Today we are all happy together. This day belongs to our ancestors who fought and sacrificed their lives for the independence, freedom, democracy and progress of this country. This day definitely belongs to Ilia, today is his birthday. This day belongs to Akaki, Niko, Vazha, Sulkhan-Saba, Erekle... I can’t list them all. This day is for all of us, who have shared this great aspiration in different ways for centuries, for Georgia to be a member of the civilized family, which is called European civilization, European culture, based on our culture and identity.

This day belongs to Zviadi and Merabi. This day also belongs to Zurab Zhvania. To all the heads of these countries who contributed to this great dream job. Most of all, this day is your day, because it is an expression of the unshakable will of the Georgian people, despite the war and occupation and other pressures, the Georgian people chose their path, there is no more hesitation on this path.

We know that this path is the only path of our culture, identity, our security, peace and territorial integrity. The other path leads to slavery. This day also belongs to those who stood on the guard of this country and are not alive today. Those who fell victim to the unjust and tragic occupation of this country. It"s everyone"s day. Our past and future are based on this unrelenting love for the motherland. This is our answer to Russia, this is our answer to the occupation, this is our answer to all the indignity, this is the victory of all those who fought”, - said Salome Zourabichvili.