2019-05-27
To me, our Georgian diaspora is an inseparable part of the Georgian spirit, of our uniqueness and our past, and the foundation of Georgia's promising future, Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze stated in his speech at Strong Diaspora for Unified Georgia, a forum celebrating Diaspora Day.
The Head of Government singled out the special role and importance of the diaspora, and wished its representatives a Happy Independence Day.
"Every Georgian cherishes Georgia's Independence Day. Generations have fought, both in Georgia and abroad, for this day. In the 21st century, the diaspora has special strength, something we all must embrace. A very important step was taken by specifying in the Constitution that the state bears responsibilities to its citizens living abroad. For us, for Georgia, there is no greater value and treasure than our human capital. For various reasons, much of our human capital has found itself abroad, which is why it is our task to join forces and consolidate this human capital," the Prime Minister stated.
The Head of Government also spoke of education as an idea of national importance, and urged the diaspora to be actively engaged in it.
"Human capital will enable us to transform Georgia into a strong, unified country, because it is our ultimate goal to make sure that all citizens, everyone who loves Georgia, are able to realize their talents in their homeland.
I would like to respond to the letters I frequently receive. Honestly, every Georgian, every parent living abroad, who is trying to raise his or her children in Georgian traditions, to provide them with information about our values, to teach them the Georgian language, is a hero of our time, and I would like to thank you for that. I know how hard it is in our modern age to hand everything down to your children while living abroad, and I am grateful to you for that," the Prime Minister addressed the diaspora's representatives.
The Head of Government discussed the programs designed to ensure the diaspora's active involvement with the process of building and strengthening the state.
"The first is the Bank of the Future, a very good format in my opinion to draw young people together and allow them to share experience. We have launched a program involving young ambassadors. We have many talented and successful young people abroad, so it is our task and desire to make sure that they, too, are engaged in the process of building and strengthening the Georgian state. I must admit that I am not happy with the current number and content of programs. Consequently, when we meet again next year, I want all of you to feel that our relations with diaspora organizations are at a brand new level," the Prime Minister said, and wished the Georgians living throughout the world a Happy Independence Day and a Happy Diaspora Day.
The participants of the diaspora forum were addressed by His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, Speaker of the Parliament Irakli Kobakhidze, Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani, and Chair of the Diaspora and Caucasus Issues Committee Beka Odisharia.
The opening ceremony of the forum was attended by representatives of Georgia's executive and legislative, and of the diplomatic corps.
Prime Minister's Press Office