Former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has responded to the recent talks between the government and the opposition, mediated by Christian Danielsson, Personal Representative of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, which ended without an agreement.
“Yesterday showed us once again that radicalism and radical positions are still the damaging factors that hindered and hinder the construction of the modern Georgian state.
“We must end the political polarization and build a successful state,” Gakharia said in a statement issued on the occasion of the referendum on Georgia’s independence and the birthday of the country’s first president, Zviad Gamsakhurdia.
“Today, March 31, marks the birthday of the referendum on the restoration of Georgia’s independence and the first president of the country, Zviad Gamsakhurdia.
“This is a turning point in the recent history of our country – the referendum held on March 31, 1991, is the date of Georgia’s declaration of independence and the beginning of the construction of a modern Georgian state.
“It is noteworthy that the population of Georgia, including the regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, participated in this referendum. Establishing an independent Georgian state is also their choice, and we must remember this as well as the fact that these regions of ours are still occupied by Russia.
“Today, we honor the memory of Zviad Gamsakhurdia and Merab Kostava, whose contribution to the formation of the Georgian National Liberation Movement and the restoration of Georgia’s independence is immeasurable.
“State-building is a long and challenging process and each of us is obliged to contribute to this process.
“30 years have passed since the beginning of state construction.
“Yesterday showed us once again that radicalism and radical positions are still the damaging factors that hindered and hinder the construction of the modern Georgian state.
“We must end the political polarization and take care of building a successful state,” the former PM concluded.
Yesterday’s meeting between the Georgian government and the opposition, mediated by Christian Danielsson, Personal Representative of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, lasted for more than 7 hours and again ended without a compromise.
By Ana Dumbadze
Related Story: March 31, Day of Beginning Independent Georgia
