US Embassy in Georgia celebrates Independence Day of the USA
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Friday, July 5
The US Embassy in Georgia celebrates the Independence Day of the United States. Acting US ambassador to Georgia, Elizabeth Rood hosted guests in the yard of the US Embassy in Tbilisi. President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili, Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, Speaker of the Parliament Archil Talakvadze, Ministers, representatives from NGOs and Diplomatic Corps were among the guests. Together with Elizabeth Rood, representatives of the Georgian government delivered speeches at the event discussing strategic partnership and future relations between the two countries.
US Independence Day is celebrated on July 4 and is declared as the official holiday. It dates back to 1776 when British colonies declared independence from the British Empire and signed the Independence Declaration.
Charge d’affaires Elizabeth Rood said: “It is a great pleasure to celebrate tonight the 243rd anniversary of the independence of the United States of America, and it is a special honor and pleasure to celebrate together with Prime Minister Bakhtadze, President Zourabichvili, Speaker of Parliament Talakvadze, and all of our distinguished friends and guests of the American Embassy.”
Rood also mentioned the mission of Apollo 11: “We also celebrate today the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, which first put a man on the Moon. This anniversary reminds us of the incredible things that nations can do when they are free and democratic and work together.”
The head of the government congratulated the American people with Independence Day and noted that this day is special for all nations, for whom freedom, independence, and the rule of law is the most important.
Bakhtadze thanked the US for standing by Georgia even in the most difficult moments since its independence and noted that Georgia will never forget that.
“Our heroes are fighting against the biggest enemy in the 21st century - international terrorism. We celebrated the 10th anniversary of our strategic partnership in Washington this year. It was 10 years of great success - the period when relations between Georgia and the United States were becoming more and more productive and strategic,” said the head of the government.
Bakhtadze emphasized the importance of the joint declaration concerning the 10th anniversary of the US-Georgia Strategic Partnership, which includes the priorities that will be the base for further deepening strategic partnership.
“I’m confident that these priorities will bring our relationship to a new level of and will further strengthen our strategic partnership. Our international aspiration is that Georgia should become a member of NATO and the EU, and we have the full support of the United States of America. We are focused on developing bilateral relations both in security and economics,” said the Prime Minister.
Bakhtadze highlighted the importance of the USA in the education sector and thanked the Millennium Challenge Corporation. According to the head of the government, education is the national idea that plans on the continuation of successful cooperation with the US in this field.
President Zourabichvili congratulated the US on Independence Day and thanked the country for its continuous support.
“The ties between our states are based on shared values: human freedom and dignity. Tolerance and hospitality also unite us. Both countries are open to the representatives of other countries. As for America, peace is one of the most valuable values for us, and we need to protect it,” Zourabichvili said.
The President of Georgia thanked the United States for continuous support since 1991 and for educational opportunities that Georgian students have in the US.
When asked about Russia’s prohibition of flights to Georgia, Rood noted that Georgia will overcome the challenges it faces today and that everyone in the embassy is happy to spend the summer in Georgia. Regarding recent protests that followed Russian MP’s presence in the parliament of Georgia, Rood noted:” I’ll say what we have already said. Investigation of the events of June 20 needs to be thorough and balanced. We support peaceful freedom of speech.”
