Georgia, 2014

It is a great honour for

me to represent my country here at the United Nations.

In recent years, the world has witnessed Georgia’s

unwavering transformation to freedom, democracy

and economic development. We have experienced

tremendous advances, and occasional challenges, on

our journey to a fuller and more open democracy. We

are a vastly stronger nation than we were 20 years ago,

and we are a much stronger nation than we were just two

years ago. While we have made significant progress in

a few short years, we are still a young democracy, and

much remains to be done.

I am fortunate to be part of a new generation

of Georgians who grew up in the years following

the Cold War. My entire life is one of being part of

remarkable change. Our tremendous progress is due to

the commitment of the Georgian people to democratic

values and their embrace of international cooperation.

Because our democratic transformation has been so

hard, we do not take anything for granted. To paraphrase

President Kennedy: we do not do these things because

they are easy, we do them because they are hard. During

difficult times, the Georgian people took to the streets

in peaceful protest and made their voices heard at the

ballot box to ensure that our democratic path continued.

I want to express my sincere admiration for the people

of Georgia and for their energy and commitment to

securing our democratic progress.

I would also like to express my gratitude to

the international community, our partner countries

represented in this Hall and international organizations,

especially the United Nations, for supporting Georgia

and listening to the Georgian people. Despite all the

challenges that we have faced, the citizens of Georgia

are full of hope. The support from the international

community and international organizations continues

to play a crucial role in Georgia’s progress. On behalf

of the people of Georgia, we thank them. Georgia’s

success is their success. Georgia’s journey is a testament

to the good work done by the United Nations and our

international partners.

In the past two years, we have taken concrete steps

to break the vicious cycle of Government corruption,

impunity and an economy that benefited only a few.

We have created a true democracy with a system of

governance that is more open, more transparent and

more accountable and that upholds the rule of law. We

have established a social compact that rewards work

and enterprise, while offering support for those in need.

As recognized by various international

organizations, the Georgia of today is another world

compared to that of two decades ago, or even just two

years ago. Every sector of our country has advanced

dramatically, from health care and education to the

economy and the rule of law. We are now at the dawn

of a new day for Georgia. Our democratic institutions

are stronger. Our foreign policy is making us more

secure. Our growing economy is working to benefit all

Georgians.

We are strengthening and consolidating Georgia’s

democracy. The parliamentary, presidential and

municipal elections held in Georgia during this two-

year period are truly something to celebrate. Because

Georgia’s democracy was hard-won, there is no going

back. The Georgian people will hold the Government

accountable at the ballot box. My Government must

earn every vote by serving the people faithfully and by

achieving progress for the country.

We are strengthening democratic institutions and

establishing stronger checks and balances. Our new

Constitution decentralizes executive power and creates

greater accountability at all levels of Government. Our

Parliament now functions as a true legislature. Laws

are proposed, debated and amended. Committees hold

hearings and question ministers. The old rubber stamp

has been thrown away. We now guarantee the protection

of human rights through a new human rights strategy

and action plan. In addition, we are equally proud to

have enacted a new anti-discrimination law that extends

the protection of human rights to all Georgian citizens.

We have restored the rule of law by establishing an

independent judiciary and by instituting more rights for

defendants. We have ended impunity by Government

officials and torture and abuse in our prisons. All

Georgians are now equal before the law. No one is above

the law. Everyone will have the benefit of a judicial

process that meets the highest international standards.

We are committed to building truly strong,

independent and high-quality media. The media, like

civil society, are essential to a strong democracy. While

I may not always agree with what the media say or

write, I will always fight to make sure that they have

the right to the freedom of speech.

Such reforms will benefit all citizens of my country.

Our goal is to unify our society through the rule of law

and democracy. Our commitment to aligning more

closely with the United States and Europe goes hand

in hand with our commitment to continued democratic

transformation. The United States is a key strategic ally

of Georgia. The relationship between our countries at

all levels of Government has never been stronger.

Increased Euro-Atlantic and European integration

is our way of returning to the family of European

nations, with whom we share a history, a culture and,

most important, common values. Our new Association

Agreement with the European Union and our steadfast

movement towards NATO membership form the

foundation for that relationship and provide an umbrella

for greater engagement. As German Chancellor Angela

Merkel said at this very rostrum, there is no development

without security and no security without development

(see A/65/PV.5). Our Association Agreement is the

master plan for the gradual establishment of European

political, economic, social and legislative norms and

standards. My country has embarked on a demanding

path of wide-ranging reforms. We will deliver on our

commitments.

I believe that Georgia’s democratic transformation

can serve as a model for other countries in the region.

Today, we pledge to share our experience with nations

going through similar transitions. As we deepen our

European and Euro-Atlantic integration, we are also

becoming a truly open and globalized economy. We

are making important investments and reforms to

unlock the full potential of the Georgian economy

and the Georgian people. From universal health care

to investments in clean energy, Georgia is becoming

a twenty-first-s we pursue those reforms, we seek to

implement the United Nations development agenda

beyond 2015. We have become a leader in sustainable

development, taking the outcomes of the United Nations

Conference on Sustainable Development seriously.

We are ready to work together with the international

community to define a post-2015 development agenda

that is inclusive and people-centred. That agenda

will address the need to achieve economic stability,

sustained economic growth, the promotion of social

equity and the protection of the environment. At the

same time, we are committed to enhancing gender

equality, women’s empowerment and equal employment

for every Georgian.

The future belongs to the next generation, so the

protection and development of our children to achieve

their full potential must be based on greater investment

in their education.

A top area of concern for Georgia is the issue of

internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees. There

are hundreds of thousands of IDPs in Georgia as a result

of Russia’s military aggression. Yet Georgia is still

taking in refugees from other conflict-torn regions.

Sadly, the sources of new refugees are increasing, not

decreasing, especially in the light of current conflicts

in Ukraine and the Middle East.

We are also doing everything we can to help

our friends in Ukraine by providing humanitarian

assistance, political support, technical help — such as

sending doctors and medicine — and serving as a safe

refuge for children affected by the conflict. We are also

helping them implement reforms and strengthen their

democratic institutions. The ongoing developments

in Ukraine tear at our hearts. We strongly support

Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. We

hope that the recent peace treaties will put an end to

the military operations once and for all and mark the

beginning of an irreversible peacemaking process.

The international community has spoken with

increasing support every year for the right of return

by adopting the General Assembly resolution on the

“Status of internally displaced persons and refugees

from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region/

South Ossetia, Georgia”. It is essential that the General

Assembly continue to retain this humanitarian issue

on the agenda and support the rights of the forcibly

displaced with strength and conviction.

I should now like to address my brothers and

sisters in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. I say to my

dear brothers and sisters, I dream of the day when we

shall all live together in peace and prosperity. We are

committed to the path of reconciliation and restoring

Georgia’s full territorial integrity and sovereignty. We

must work to find a way for them to participate in our

success, including the benefits of our new European

Union Association Agreement.

I also call on the Russian Government to fulfil

its obligations under the 2008 international ceasefire

and join in the search for peace, prosperity and

reconciliation. Our history and our values are a source

of strength. When combined with our strategic location,

this allows us to offer something unique to the world

and serve as a driver of peace and security.

Beyond our borders, we aim to contribute to global

security as a supplier of security, not just a consumer.

My country’s dedication to becoming a security

contributor to the world is evident in our aspirations

for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, which are

the main pillars of Georgia’s foreign policy. Building

on the achievements of the past two years, my country

has made significant progress that reinforces our path

to eventual NATO membership. The historic NATO

Summit reaffirmed that Georgia will be a member of

NATO in the future, and our people remain committed

to this ultimate objective. As a result of the decisions

taken at the Wales Summit, NATO will significantly

increase Georgia’s integration and provide tangible

cooperation initiatives that will increase Georgia’s

capabilities and overall security.

We are the largest non-NATO contributor to the

International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan

(ISAF), and we are committed to taking part in the post-

ISAF mission. From the operation’s outset, our troops,

including medical personnel, staff officers and training

instructors, will be ready for deployment. We also plan

to contribute to institution-building in Afghanistan.

We stand with our allies in combating all forms of

terrorism and organized crime, anywhere in the world.

We are also proud to contribute to the European

Union’s efforts under the Common Security and

Defence Policy to build peace and security worldwide.

In that context, as the second-largest participant, a

Georgian battalion and a light infantry company have

already started a mission under the EU-led operation in

the Central African Republic.

Our willingness to serve shoulder to shoulder with

our allies is not the only way Georgia is serving as a

global security provider. We are also taking a rational

approach to reducing regional tensions and preventing

conflict.

Let me be clear, Georgia will never sacrifice its

territorial integrity and sovereignty. However, we will

continue to look for pathways to reconciliation with our

brothers and sisters in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

We Georgians want a good relationship with

Russia, but never at the expense of our sovereignty and

independence, which we fought so hard to achieve. To

that end, we are pursuing a new approach, different

from that of our predecessors, in dealing with Russia.

We are pursuing a two-track engagement strategy

based on our being a responsible, pragmatic and

constructive neighbour. On the first track, we started an

unconditional dialogue with Russia on the resumption

of trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian relations.

On the second track, we have continued to seek a

peaceful settlement of the August 2008 war and the end

of Russian occupation of Georgian territory, based on

the fundamental principles of international law.

The first track has produced significant results

and has helped reduce tensions between Georgia and

Russia. Trade has reopened and Georgian exports to

Russia have increased over 300 per cent. People-to-

people exchanges have also increased dramatically.

We are coexisting more calmly as neighbours. This

approach has also increased stability in the entire South

Caucasus region.

However, Georgia’s efforts to reduce tensions and

extend an olive branch to Russia have not been met

with the same spirit of cooperation. We have taken

every constructive step. Now it is time for the Russian

Government to stop the occupation and start on a path

to lasting peace.

My country is committed to using its strategic

location to connect Asia, Europe and the Middle East,

thereby expanding trade from one end of Eurasia to

the other. The reopening of the Silk Road is one of

the greatest achievements brought about by the end of

the Cold War. The Silk Road region accounts for two

thirds of the world’s population and 60 per cent of its

gross domestic product. If its potential is fully tapped,

it will become a key force for the expansion of trade,

the development of new energy resources and supply

chains and the promotion of cultural exchanges. To

fully unlock that potential, the international community

must redouble its efforts in three key areas: trade and

transport, energy, and people-to-people contacts.

We have deepened cooperation with Turkey, China,

Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkmenistan,

Uzbekistan and Afghanistan to integrate transportation

corridors and open new routes that will bring goods

from Asia to Western Europe in record time. Energy

resources are a key driver of Silk Road economic

development and integration.

We support a key route for Caspian Sea oil and gas to

travel to Europe. Last year, the Shah Deniz Consortium

announced a massive expansion of the South Caucasus

Pipeline through Azerbaijan and Georgia, which

will bring 16 billion cubic metres of new natural gas

to Europe and Turkey and thousands of new jobs to

Georgia. Several days ago, I was in Azerbaijan to break

ground and lay the first segment of that new pipeline.

The expansion will lead to approximately $2 billion in

new investment by the Consortium in Georgia alone. Of

course, that will result in Georgia receiving significant

quantities of natural gas to improve our economic

development and security.

Clean, renewable energy can also be a driver

for regional energy cooperation. In Georgia, we are

utilizing our massive hydropower resources to become

a carbon-neutral country and to export renewable

energy to our neighbours. The potential of the region

is great, but more is needed to turn such potential into

reality. Georgia is ready to use its location as a strategic

crossroads and to do its part to fully revitalize the Silk

Road. To that end, I intend to establish a Silk Road

forum in 2015, and in Georgia we plan to launch an

annual high-level meeting of all States and international

organizations that are interested in the future of the Silk

Road. The forum will discover new ideas for enhancing

cooperation in the fields of transport, energy, trade and

people-to-people contacts across the Silk Road. The

forum will move beyond discussion to action.

In conclusion, let me reaffirm that I am so very

confident that our best years are ahead of us, and

that our worst are now part of history. I am confident

that Georgians have come together to move our

nation forward and to fulfil the promise of a strong,

independent and free, great Georgian nation. Working

together, there is no limit on what Georgia, the region

and the world can achieve. I look forward to seeing

many present here today in Tbilisi.