Deputy Prime Minister, distinguished guests, friends. Good evening! Mogesalmebit!
It’s wonderful to see everyone back here at the American Embassy. This is what the July 4th celebration should look like! Thank you so much for joining us.
July 4 marks the day the American Founding Fathers declared independence. This is a day America is committed to building a nation based on basic freedoms and democratic values. For 246 years, Americans have reaffirmed that commitment through our efforts to strengthen and enhance our democracy, protect the rights of all people, and promote peace and prosperity in America and around the world.
We fought for these freedoms and democratic values 246 years ago, and we defend them now, beyond our support to those fighting for freedom and sovereignty, including in Ukraine. As President Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than a generation away from extinction. It must be defended, protected, and entrusted to our children to do the same.
The desire to defend freedom, independence, and democracy is something that Georgia and America share. That’s not because we want war. On the contrary. That is because we strongly believe that freedom and democracy are the surest path to peace.
Georgians and Americans know that nothing about the fight for freedom is easy – whether in 1776 in America, 1921 in Georgia, through the two World Wars in Europe, or the collapse of the Soviet Union. We see this in the untrue Russian invasion of Georgia in 2008, and we see it in the recent war for freedom in Putin’s barbaric war against Ukraine: the war between democracy and autocracy, between freedom and oppression, between modern order that has to bring stability and prosperity to Europe for over 75 years and an autocratic regime governed by brutal power, oppression, and fear.
Why did I raise the Russian war against Ukraine on American Independence Day? Because Ukraine’s war for independence is part of a larger struggle for important democratic principles that unite all free people – the same principles that Georgia and America established in our constitutions and strive to maintain: rule of law, free and fair elections , freedom to speak, write, and assemble; and a free and ethical press.
The belief that government “by the people, by the people, and for the people” has a responsibility to respect and protect the freedom, equality, and dignity of every individual, and to safeguard the safety of its citizens without sacrificing constitutional value such a process is correct. and equal protection for all. These principles can be expensive to maintain, but they are important in a free society to allow every citizen to reach their full potential.
[Too late, many are striving to achieve accommodation with an autocratic Kremlin. But we have learned that a Russian revanchist cannot be appeased without endangering the peace and prosperity we have painstakingly built. We must state our principles. The remarkable solidarity and unity that we have recently seen against Russian atrocities shows that the family of Euro-Atlantic nations is committed to helping those who are willing to stand up for shared values. We continue to believe in and strive for a vision of Europe, all, free, and peaceful. Georgia is part of the Euro-Atlantic family, and we hope to welcome you as a full member.]
Around the world in recent years, we have seen the power of autocracy try to eliminate democracy, with contempt for the rule of law, insult to democratic freedom, insult to justice and dignity. Putin’s attempt to use aggression and brutal disinformation to spread separatism and extend his autocratic regime is a direct challenge to this basic principle.
And the West has responded with determination, with strong unity, and with a determination to defend our democratic way of life. As President Biden said, “… the darkness that leads to autocracy is ultimately unsuitable for the fires of freedom that highlight the souls of free people everywhere.”
As in the United States, people here in Georgia value freedom. You respect your independence, and your unique culture, language, and tradition. Like Americans, Georgians also seek peace, security, justice, equality, and dignity. There is nothing “foreign” about this principle. This is not the “Western” value that is imposed on Georgia. It is a basic Georgian value, woven throughout Georgian history, culture, and tradition, from King Tamar, to Ilia Chavchavadze, to Ekvtime Taqaishvili. The path to freedom Georgians cherish – and peace, stability and prosperity – leads to Europe.
Georgia has made great progress building its democracy over 30 years. At this time, Americans have invested more than $ 6 billion in aid because we believe in helping Georgia become a more prosperous, more democratic, and more secure country. It is not critical to say that there is more work to be done, the most important of which is to implement and re -enforce the democratic framework that Georgia has done, and to strengthen the independence of the democratic institutions that you have established.
We know from our own experience in the US that democracy is hard work that never ends. It takes enduring commitment, difficult compromises, and political will. It requires putting the country ahead of narrow partisan interests and rising above the zero-sum political game. It cannot be held in one day, or by one party alone.
Success depends on living up to Georgia’s national motto: dzala ertobashia. There is no limit to what can be achieved by Georgia when the people of Georgia stand together, united in the common cause of the future of Euro-Atlantic Georgia. And I guarantee you, the United States will continue to unite with you.
Let me close with the words of Pope John Paul II, which seem to be relevant when we strive for a future of peace, equality, and prosperity: “Never give up hope. Never doubt, never tired, never be discouraged. Don’t be afraid.”
America and Georgia stand as proof that people who love freedom will eventually refuse to live in a world that is hopeless and dark. We stand united – America and Georgia – in the name of peace and freedom.
God bless America. God bless Georgia.
Damoukideblobis Dre Gilosavt! Happy Independence Day!
